Jonathan Edwards
"HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa is creating a legacy of children orphaned by AIDS. I would like to endorse the work of HOPEHIV and encourage your support. Firstly, because of the essential need to create a different future for these children. Secondly, as someone whose life has been challenged by what I have seen, I want to do all I can to bring hope into this situation."
Jonathan Edwards shot to fame in 1995 when he took the World Record for the Triple Jump at the European Cup in Salamanca, Spain. From here his success was set to grow, with a run of 22 successive wins, the accolade of BBC Sports Personality of the Year and the L'Equipe international Champion of Champions. In 2000 he was in the headlines again when he attained his dream of an Olympic gold medal in Sydney and in 2002 he completed his set of medals with a gold at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. He was elected as British Male Athlete of the Year in 1995, 2000 and 2001, received the MBE after his great 1995 season and the CBE after his Olympic triumph. He is a personal friend of the founder of HOPEHIV and has been a patron since its inception in 2000.
Jeremy Vine
"Nothing made me feel more helpless, or more conscious of the unfairness of life, than the young children I met in Africa who had either fallen victim to AIDS themselves or seen most of their family wiped out by it. HOPEHIV gives us a way of helping, and hoping."
Jeremy Vine is a journalist and broadcaster. Currently hosting The Jeremy Vine Show (weekdays, Radio 2), he has been with the BBC for the past 15 years. He started as a news trainee, went on to become a reporter on Radio 4's Today programme, then BBC Political Correspondent at Westminster. Next came a posting in Johannesburg as Africa Correspondent, then the job of Newsnight presenter, before his current role. His years as a reporter took him to the Middle East, the US and all over Europe and Africa. During this time he reported from over 22 African countries and experienced many of the struggling communities HOPEHIV helps today.
BBC CALLING...Interview with Jeremy Vine
David Segel
"Children are Hope. They are our joy and our future. I believe that through HOPEHIV, the AIDS orphans of Southern Africa really have a fighting chance. Care is provided within their own communities which gives them the stability they need. As people blessed with the opportunity to provide support, we can help HOPEHIV make a real difference for these children."
David Segel is Managing Director of the derivatives trading firm, Mako Global. After receiving a BA from Yale University in 1986, David went into the world of business and finance. Prior to founding Mako, he was Managing Director of Saratoga, a trading software company. He has a strong history of options trading and has been an active member of many of the world’s derivatives exchanges. David has supported the work of the charity since it was founded and became a patron of HOPEHIV in June 2002.