The Red Ribbon 2026 Calendar - a bold new chapter in HIV awareness and fundraising

The launch of the very first Red Ribbon 2026 Calendar marks a bold new chapter in HIV awareness and fundraising.

This special edition calendar brings together a group of guys united in one cause: raising awareness, funds support for people living with HIV. Featuring bold, uplifting images, the calendar proudly supports the Sussex Beacon and Terrence Higgins Trust, two charities making a life-changing difference every day.

We caught up with Jordan Chan - one of the calendar’s contributors - to talk about what it means to be part of this pioneering project and why supporting HIV services remains as vital as ever.

What inspired the Red Ribbon 2026 calendar project?

I do a lot of charity fundraising, and run a Pride in my local area. Last year I did a calendar to raise awareness around testicular and money for the Odd Balls Foundation, and sold over 200 copies. So this year I wanted to do one again to help support two more fantastic charities: Terrance Higgins Trust and the Sussex Beacon. 

How did you get people involved?

The photographer was my friend Mark at Mwordsphotography, who asked for models on his Instagram story. Some of the boys I knew already and some I hadn’t met before. The shoot was brilliant; I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of people to work with and help support the calendar!  

How did it feel to be part of a campaign that supports such vital charities as Sussex Beacon and Terrence Higgins Trust?

It was an honour to be able to campaign and raise money and awareness for two iconic charities that are such a huge lifeline to our community! I just wanted to help support them in any way I could.  

Can you tell us about the concept behind your calendar shoot – what message were you hoping to convey? 

We wanted the calendar to spark conversations around HIV; to tackle the stigma and misinformation we sadly still see today. We have information leaflets around HIV information and testing that we will also be including in postal orders and handing out at our calendar events. 

The calendar is a mix or implied nude, and underwear provided by our friends at Addicted UK and we incorporated the iconic red ribbon in honour of World AIDS Day. 

How do you think creative projects like this calendar help challenge stigma around HIV and promote awareness?

It starts conversations, from us promoting and sharing the calendar, to our friends and family, launch parties and articles like this. 

Talking about these charities and sign posting followers, readers and attendees to the launch parties, or providing people with information leaflets with every calendar sold, combating misinformation.  

Unfortunately HIV can still be a taboo subject. This calendar and the promotion of it along with the charities, takes the conversation to the top of the list.

Were there any particularly memorable moments during the shoot team that stood out to you?

The whole shoot day was brilliant, everyone there was full of positivity and encouragement! 

What do you hope people take away from seeing your contribution to the calendar?

I want people to be more informed around HIV and have access to facts from the information provided, know that HIV is still very much present in today’s society, the importance of preventive treatment and testing, currently available treatments for those living with HIV, and the amazing support available from these two brilliant charities.

Undetectable = untransmittable. 

Have you had any personal connections or experiences that made this cause especially meaningful for you?

Some of my friends and people I know live with HIV. I know they have faced stigma and discrimination due to this, from in and outside the community. So I wanted to help educate people and let them know I’ve got their back.  

I watched I Kissed a Boy, and saw the upsetting lived experience of Adam, where he mentions being asked if he’s clean, as if having HIV means he might be dirty? I thought he was really brave and vulnerable sharing that story on TV. 

That really made me think about how others must feel, and how words can have such an impact on someone, and wanted to help raise awareness that U=U, and having HIV doesn’t make you dirty! 

The calendar was initially for Terrence Higgins Trust, but after a friend of mine made me aware of the Sussex Beacon, I looked into the fantastic work they do and I knew I wanted to raise money for them too. 

In your view, what more can be done to support people living with HIV in the UK today?

We have come such a long way in treatment and prevention for HIV, but I think there still needs to be more projects like this, raising awareness, breaking down stigma and starting conversations to help with achieving ZERO 30, which is a UK-based initiative to stop new transmissions and AIDS-related deaths by 2030. 

So if you're around come and say hi to me and the boys! 

You can also check out my Instagram and link in the bio to grab your calendar! 

Massive shout out to all Mark at Mwordsphotography and all the amazing models for being part of the calendar! 

What’s next for you, Jordan? Anything else on the horizon? 

I’ll be selling and advertising this calendar until the end of the year to make as much money as possible for these amazing charities! 

Then I’ll be fundraising for my local Pride, which is held in the summer.

How can fans and supporters get involved or help spread the message of The Red Ribbon campaign?

You can buy a calendar online.

I’ve also organised calendar signings and launch parties at Bar Broadway in Brighton on 25 October and at La! in Margate on 29 November. A launch party in London is TBC!