‘Readers have responded with such generosity’

Evgeny Lebedev shares his thoughts about The Independent's AIDSfree campaign

Sir Elton John and Evgeny Lebedev visit the Gateway clinic in Umlazi, which is backed by the singer’s charitable foundation (David Alexander)

When we launched our AIDSfree campaign just nine weeks ago, I pledged that we would help those at risk of infection, offer a voice to the forgotten sufferers and fight to make governments listen. At the close of our most successful Christmas campaign ever, I can confirm to you that we have met these aims.

Our achievement is not only the £3.26m raised with the help of you, our readers, who responded to make ours the most successful appeal launched this Christmas by any British newspaper.

It is also our success in shaping government policy, as seen in the commitment of Secretaries of State Matt Hancock and Penny Mordaunt at our Global Forum to end new cases of HIV in Britain by 2030.

It is equally a victory to have united civic leaders across the world. Our campaign has touched lives in countries as far apart as India and Mozambique. Nairobi’s governor will improve medical care, and an Atlanta commissioner has now committed to reaching the UN’s HIV treatment targets.

Yet ultimately, I am most proud that our appeal has given us a platform to challenge the stigma that continues to surround those with the virus. We have told the stories of those living with HIV, and we have shown the fulfilling, joyful and varied lives they lead, not least with the help and support of the programmes that you have helped finance.

Newspapers are a force for good in the world, and the unprecedented success of our charity campaign serves as evidence.

The generosity of our readers and the work of our journalists have made an AIDS-free future truly possible.

To every one of you who has supported this appeal, I thank you.