Ten new HIV cases have been diagnosed in Bermuda in just the first five months of the year versus 17 in the whole of 2007.

That's why Caroline Armstrong, the director of Supportive Therapy for AIDS Persons and their Relatives (STAR) and AIDS walk organiser Alicia Tallack hosted the second annual AIDS walk Bermuda. Not only do they hope to raise awareness, which is the main goal of STAR, but also to raised funds for their education scholarships, which will go to those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Yesterday the weather cooperated even if technical difficulties slightly hindered the walk, which started from Camden in the Botanical Gardens down Berry Hill and in the South Shore Road entrance.

Quincy Pitt, a student, said even with the difficulties the spirit of the walk was still there and he hoped it would raise awareness.

He said: "The walk was phenomenal because we had some things that set us behind, but the whole spirit, the whole quintessential essence for what we are walking for is still there.

"The spirit is still there — to bring awareness about HIV and AIDS to Bermuda."

Awareness seems to be something lacking, according to Mrs. Armstrong who sees more and more cases diagnosed and at least ten in the first few months this year.

Unlike in 1982 when it was a new disease and about ten years later when people started dying from AIDS, the disease gets very little exposure in Bermuda.

Mrs. Armstrong said that is why they want more education programmers, which might need to start focusing on the children and getting them to influence each other.

She said: "The diagnoses of ten people takes my mind back to years ago where so many people were diagnosed.

"There needs to be more education. Lots more in the media. Government is very supportive in Bermuda of people with HIV and things like care and treatment programmers are supportive. However, things seem OK. Things seem not so drastic not so devastating, but behind the scenes people are engaging in very risky behaviour.

"People are ignoring the signs of the times. Things are not getting better. Moral values are not what they used to be.

"The community is engaging in risky behaviour at a younger age. Perhaps we need to revisit Peer Educators because, let's be honest, children listen to each other."

Last year the walk raised more than $7,000 for the scholarship fund and this year Ms Tallack hopes to again add to the total.

Ms Tallack said: "I think that there should be in coming years, people will get more and more comfortable talking about HIV and AIDS and showing their support.

"It's not just about being affected or infected. It's about their support even if it's not personal."

The money raised will help support not only those who get HIV, but also the children and others who might be left behind following the death of their loved ones.

It's needed as those with HIV continue to live longer and productive lives, but need to be able to get support to find jobs and therefore, get an education.

Mrs. Armstrong added: "Because we are a small community a lot of people would like to keep it on the down low. People are living longer with HIV and are able to lead their life as normal.

"But to talk about it, for it to become a common occurrence, as soon as that's able to become the norm for us it will be easier for them to continue in their lives."