AIDSfree: Elton John urges Independent readers to ‘keep going and keep helping’ as £1m raised for Christmas appeal

Campaign aims to tackle global Aids epidemic and boost numbers tested for HIV

Sir Elton John and Evgeny Lebedev using simple mouth swab tests (Jeremy Selwyn)

Readers have helped to raise more than £1m for our Christmas appeal in just 10 days.

Thanks to your generosity, vital funds will now go towards the fight to drive down HIV rates and create an Aids-free future.

The AIDSfree campaign, launched 10 days ago in conjunction with the Elton John AIDS Foundation, is aiming to tackle the epidemic across the world and boost numbers of people being tested for HIV. Those on medication can no longer pass on the virus, making it all the more important for them to have access to it.

Through donations and a charity gala hosted by Take That last week, we have passed the £1m milestone. The government has also given our appeal a major boost by pledging to match public donations up to £2m.

Although, you, the readers, have helped us make crucial steps towards our target goal, more needs to be done if we are to make a significant and lasting difference.

Elton John launches The Independent's AIDSfree campaign

You can help by bidding for exclusive experiences and limited edition items in The Independent’s Christmas auction, which draws to a close at 10pm tonight.

Readers can also buy one of three gifts to raise money – designer jeweller Tateossian has created cufflinks to represent the HIV drug PrEP, celebrity photographer Andy Gotts is selling prints, and a limited edition print by photographer Terry O’Neill and artist David Studwell of Sir Elton performing at the Dodger baseball stadium in Los Angeles is on sale.

Sir Elton said: “Thank you so much to the readers, supporters and to the UK government for getting behind our mission with the AIDSfree campaign. We succeed when we come together to help those most vulnerable and we’re already making huge progress. Let’s keep going, keep helping, and we can make sure no one gets left behind.”

Evgeny Lebedev, owner of The Independent and a trustee of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, had called for much-needed funds to be raised. “Let’s together reach those living with, affected by or at risk of HIV/Aids,” he said. “Let’s get them the help they need and ensure no one is left behind, wherever they may live and whoever they may be, so we can create an Aids-free future.”

Matt Hancock, the health secretary, whose department helped finance the UK Aid Match scheme, said: “I have been blown away by the generosity of the public. Every donation, large or small, will have a transformative impact on the lives of people with HIV.”