A Worthy Cause

It's always so nice to see people doing charitable work, let alone celebrities. Celebrities have the power to make the media stand and focus on them, and even though some of them may not be A-list celebrities (not even on TV), they still have some drawing power, which has the added advantage of drawing attention to a charity and possibly assist in getting more sponsorships.

Ex-Neighbours star Stephen Hunt (dark haired) will attempt to swim the Strait of Gibraltar, from Spain to Morocco, to raise funds for the AIDS Trust of Australia in August. He has swam the English Channel in 2002 for charity and will be assisted by buddy Daniel Macpherson and some other Neighbours stars. FYI, the photos are taken off Bondi Beach on a cloudy Autumn day.

From my last trip back in Singapore, I realised that some of my firends have some misconceptions about AIDS, and the conception of HIV related illnesses. The Gay Council there is trying to educate the public but they are constantly with-held because they can't launch promotional campaigns like we have here in Australia because they do not fully acknowledge the gay local population and that education is one of the only ways we can prevent HIV from spreading. Like the Pope, they believe that abstinence is the best way. Sadly, it will not stop people from having sex ... and possibly unprotected sex, when it is still seen only as a "gay disease" in most Asian and other relatively conservative countries.

I think it is good for celebrities to speak and act for a good cause, because they will create an awareness and in most cases, a positive attitude, especially if they have a personal cause like this case. We may not have family members or friends who suffer from the disease but at least, we know of someone who does, and hopefully, it can encourage others to feel empathy.

I am currently doing work for an Australian non-profit organisation "Best Buddies" and it is about creating and facilitating friendships between people/students with intellectual disability and their mainstream peers. I started this program less than a year ago and I can fully understand the rigours of fundraising, so I urge for more kindness around this world. If you can't volunteer your time, then maybe you can donate some money. If not, maybe you can show a little kindness to the people around you and offer a smile to brighten up a stranger's day.