Appleby Bermuda has donated Christmas trees, holiday food hampers and gifts to Star (Supportive Therapy for Aids Persons and their Relatives), a charity that has provided support for almost 30 years to those with HIV and their families.

The partners and staff have participated annually in Star’s Christmas Donation Drive by supporting six families.

Managing partner Tim Faries said: “We have been working with Star during the holiday season for 18 years and hope that our continued support provides some additional Christmas cheer to our Star families. We believe in community involvement and are happy to be a part of Star’s mission.

“I would like to thank our staff who generously donated and our volunteer co-ordinators who assisted with the hampers on each floor. Our volunteer co-ordinators are Cindy Barber, Carla Best, Shirley Eve-Burgess, Lisa Lacey, Thalia Lightbourne, Carmen Lodge, Tamsin Logan, Tina Nusum, Bethea Pearman, Penny Pfenning, Calvin Steede, Tiffany Stevens, and Tiffany Tavares.”

Star’s work in the local community has benefited more than 170 people at its Lighthouse facility, which aims to provide a family environment for residents, including men, women and children. In addition, the charity offers support throughout the island to persons living with HIV by way of confidential counselling and personal caregivers visiting homes, the hospital and hospices.