History of the HIV and AIDS Charity AVERT

The history of the AIDS charity AVERT, from its start in the attic of a farmhouse in 1986, through the funding of early AIDS medical research, the start of a publications program, an argument with the UK government, and more educational work.

In the 1990s some work on drug use in prison, and the major development of AVERT's publications program. The coming of the internet and in 1995 the setting up of AVERT.org, followed by the start of AVERT's overseas program in 2000.

From 2002 overseas work in Mozambique, Russia and India went alongside the further development of AVERT.org. There was then the major development of AVERT's work in South Africa, and advocacy work, particularly about the provision of antiretrovirals.

From 2006 there were major community projects in South Africa, and advocacy work including the Stop AIDS in Children project, and the provision of antiretroviral drugs to prevent children being born with HIV. At the same time AVERT.org continued to be developed and was now being visited by millions of people.