The Day Room at The Sussex Beacon has been dedicated to the life and work of leading HIV expert Professor Martin Fisher who died earlier this year.
The room, which is used for support services for people living with HIV, was officially named The Martin Fisher room at the charity’s Annual General Meeting on the evening of September 30.
The dedication was attended by Martin’s parents Chris and Rose Fisher who were touched to discover that the initial request for the naming of the room came from The Sussex Beacon’s service users.
Guest speaker was Dr David Asboe, consultant in HIV Medicine and sexual health at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London who spoke about Martin’s considerable contribution to the field of HIV and about continuing developments.
Simon Dowe, CEO at The Sussex Beacon, said; “It felt right that we dedicated the room to Professor Martin Fisher at our Annual General Meeting. Martin was the guest speaker at last year’s event and we wanted to celebrate the contribution he made not only to the field of HIV but to the patients at The Sussex Beacon”.
Around 40 people, comprising staff members, trustees and supporters attended the meeting, which opened with the reading of company accounts, as well as other formal Annual General Meeting business including the appointment of a new Trustee, Jayne Phoenix, and independent health and social care consultant.
Chair of the Board of Trustees Lynette Lowndes spoke about the current direction of The Sussex Beacon and CEO Simon Dowe highlighted recent changes to the charity, such as their recent reception refurbishment, paid for with funds raised by LGBT networking and fundraising group, Bear-Patrol. Simon also announced the results of a recent survey to choose a new look for the charity and unveiled the winning logo.
A statement was read out from the MP for Brighton Kemptown, Simon Kirby, in his absence, in which he gave praise of the recent changes at The Sussex Beacon, as well as talking of how proud he was to be a patron of the organisation at such and exciting time.
Afterwards Dr David Asboe spoke about the life and work of Professor Martin Fisher, guests were lead into the newly-named Martin Fisher room, and the meeting was closed.
The Sussex Beacon charity offers specialist care and support for people living with HIV. Based in Brighton, which has the highest proportion of people living with HIV outside of London, their centre is open 365 days a year. The charity helps people manage the everyday realities of living with this life-long condition that has no cure.
Inpatient and day services help people living with HIV related illnesses, initiating new drug therapies, or supporting those struggling with extreme side effects of HIV medication. The Sussex Beacon supports the people living with HIV to lead independent and healthy lives.
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