CAMPAIGNERS have launched a charity bus in their drive to make sure there are no new cases of HIV in Brighton by 2025.

The educational bus was unveiled at a ceremony on Hove Lawns on Saturday. It was set up to reduce stigma around the virus and prevent further cases of HIV in the city.

Supporters of HIV charity The Martin Fisher Foundation believe they can achieve this with testing, treatment that stops the transmission of the virus, and drugs such as pre-exposure prophylaxis which prevent HIV infection.

The Brighton and Hove Buses vehicle is dedicated to the memory of Professor Martin Fisher, an international leader in HIV research who built up the world-class Lawson Unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Martin Fisher Foundation trustee Dr Gill Dean said: “This bus will act as a catalyst for meaningful conversations around HIV and improve understanding of how stigma can be such an enormous burden for people living with the virus

“Another aim of the bus is to spell out that HIV isn’t scary any more. We’ve come a long way since the tombstones of the 1980s. Treatment is now well tolerated, safe and effective. When taken every day, it means people can’t pass the virus on.

“Ending new HIV infections in Brighton and Hove is actually within our grasp. We can be the generation to achieve this and the bus will be part of it.”