In London, The National AIDS Trust (NAT) and Red Ribbon International (RRI), are encouraging everyone to wear Red Ribbons as a tribute to the love and affection that Diana, Princess of Wales (1961-1997) showed to people with HIV and AIDS.

People wearing Red Ribbons will be meeting near the ICA in The Mall to watch the funeral procession on Saturday. The funeral begins at 11am.

Later, at 4pm, there will be a special gathering at Kensington Palace, where a floral Red Ribbon will be left as a 'thank you' to Princess Diana for her tireless compassion and commitment to ending the prejudice and stigma associated with AIDS.

NAT COLLECTS TRIBUTES FROM PEOPLE WITH HIV & FRIENDS

The National AIDS Trust is collecting messages of tribute and affection to Diana, Princess of Wales, the Trust's Patron.

Decisions about permanent memorials to the life of Diana, Princess of Wales need time and thought. Yet the spontaneous expression of affection, respect and loss and the special debt of gratitude that many people with HIV and AIDS have towards the Princess of Wales, has prompted NAT - given its unique link with the Princess - to announce its intention to collect messages to form a lasting tribute.

Messages received will be put in a 'book of hope' - a collection of personal tributes to the life and work of Diana, Princess of Wales on AIDS. They will also be placed on NAT's internet website where a special tribute section has been created.

HIV organisations around the world are requested to support this unique testimony to a woman who continued to care for people with HIV and showed everyone that compassion and love can make all the difference.

Derek Bodell, Director of the National AIDS Trust said: "Our Patron, Diana, Princess of Wales, gave so much of herself to support people affected by AIDS and it seems vital to us that we give something back at this time of tragic loss. We hope people with HIV, and their families and friends from around the world, will support our particular tribute to her life and work on AIDS. Her work must continue."

NATIONAL AIDS TRUST OPENS MEMORIAL FUND

The National AIDS Trust (NAT), has opened a special fund for people wishing to make a specific donation as a tribute to the work our patron Diana, Princess of Wales, carried out on behalf of people with HIV and AIDS.

188-196 Old Street

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Credit card donations can be telephoned on +44 171 814 6746.

The money will be used to sustain the work that Princess Diana started, including awareness and education and about HIV and AIDS for everyone.

An official memorial fund for all the charities associated with Princess Diana has also been opened. Donations can be made to: 'The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund', Kensington Palace, London W8 4PU.

"The formation of a Trust will provide a lasting memorial to the work that Diana carried out for the wide range of causes. In the case of AIDS she made a major difference to the lives of thousands of people by so openly demonstrating that there is no need for fear and prejudice. We look forward to working closely with the Princess's Office, and others, to ensure that her work continues."

CALL FOR AIDS VACCINE DEVELOPMENT

The AIDS charity of the Princess of Wales, the National AIDS Trust (NAT), today called for renewed efforts to develop a vaccine in the worldwide fight against AIDS.

Derek Bodell, Director of the National AIDS Trust said:

"Our Patron, Diana, Princess of Wales, showed unstinting concern for the plight of people in AIDS hospitals in the USA, Europe and around the world, and we'd like to think that her work and compassion will continue to make an impact on the eradication of this worldwide epidemic. We particularly welcome President Clinton's support for the quest to find a cure for AIDS by the year 2007."