Hope in front of a small crowd during a brief ceremony on the steps of City Hall.

And the quilt remembering 124 people who had passed away was unveiled for the crowd of approximately 100 people which gathered, along with another huge knitted quilt.

This had been made by Celeste DeShields -- who is HIV positive -- to commemorate those who were living with HIV or AIDS.

"It is not for us to only remember the dead but the living as well,'' said Mrs. DeShields.

She said she made the quilt to give people living with the disease hope -- "I'm living proof,'' she added.

Mrs. DeShields said she made the quilt in two weeks and the colours used in it were those of birthstones.

"It is for everybody -- living or dead. We always talk about the dead but there are also those living with the disease.'' Meanwhile World AIDS Day Committee chairperson Cynthia Stovell was not discouraged by the low number of people who turned out for the event.

She said: "Let's face it. It's a difficult time of day for people to get here and the weather earlier would have put some people off.

"As long as the message gets out -- that's the important thing.'' Town Crier Edward Christopher opened the ceremony and he was followed by Mrs.

Stovell who said she felt it was fit for the day to fall on the Thanksgiving weekend as it reflected the importance of family in fighting the disease and increasing awareness of it.

Premier David Saul and Health Minister Harry Soares also spoke at the event as did Shadow Health Minister Renee Webb.

Mr. Soares said the observance of World AIDS Day was needed to help strengthen the global effort in fighting AIDS and the further spread of HIV.

He added that the theme of One World One Hope reflected that the disease was a global problem and there were some signs of progress.

Dr. Saul said the theme showed the world had to work together to overcome the challenges and recognised that everyone had to do something about the epidemic.

Ms Webb said the theme spoke to the brotherhood and sisterhood of mankind and inspired the fellowship of human beings and the need to become each others keepers.

ONE WORLD, ONE HOPE -- Shadow Health Minister Renee Webb addressed the small crowd which went to City Hall yesterday lunchtime for the Proclamation of World Aids Day.