Bermuda's major help organisation.

STAR, or Supportive Therapy for AIDS Persons and their Relatives, is always in urgent need of volunteers to help people with AIDS on the Island.

Over the past seven years the group has seen the face of the AIDS problem change dramatically.

And they are faced with an ever increasing death toll as scientists still search for a cure. So far, since 1982 more than 170 people have died because of AIDS and HIV, in Bermuda.

STAR's executive director Mrs. Carolyn Armstrong said: "We would like to appeal to the public for more volunteers. We have numerous volunteers who are assigned to People With AIDS (PWAs).

"Volunteers work with a PWA or other people involved, like families, friends or workmates. They offer emotional and moral support and tend to become emotionally involved.'' Mrs. Armstrong said that being a volunteer is a strain especially when the PWA dies and they must offer support to the families.

She said: "Although some people can help again, many find that the emotional strain means they are not up to it a second time.

"It could take three to six months before we know if someone wants to continue. Those who do not often come back and help in other ways but are not involved on a one-to-one basis again.'' Mrs. Armstrong said that the involvement of families and friends is an aspect that has increased over the seven years.

The realisation that AIDS is not confined to the homosexual or drug abusing communities on the Island is helping to remove the stigma which has always been attached to the conditions.

Mrs. Armstrong said: "AIDS is now a problems across the board.

It cuts across sexual, racial, social and economic barriers.

"Some people are still pretty paranoid but we are finding more people are coming to our door to offer help.

"We have found that we are working more and more with families and friends of PWAs. In some cases it is workmates who find they are closer to the PWAs than anyone else. All these people need to learn how to cope.'' Mrs. Armstrong is particularly pleased with the awareness now being shown by teenagers. Youngsters from St. George's Secondary School will be assisting STAR, on World AIDS Day, on December 1.

She said: "We are reaching the younger community. They are the ones who will be forming caring groups when things really start to escalate in the future.'' For World AIDS Day, STAR hope to hold their usual stall with the help of the St. George's students and the AME Church.

Mrs. Carolyn Armstrong.