HIV charity decorates tree in free condoms for people to collect at Christmas

The condom tree is back to promote safe sex over the holidays

(Getty Images)

An organisation which supports those living with HIV, has decorated an outdoor Christmas tree with condoms, for people to “help themselves” during the festive period.

The Crescent, a self-funded volunteer organisation in Hertfordshire, has hung small bags of condoms from the branches of a fir tree located outside its offices in St Albans.

They have also used red ribbons to decorate - a symbol of the fight against HIV and Aids.

They are hoping it means people will practice safe sex even if they can’t get contraception from other facilities closed during the festive period, and raise awareness at the same time.

In a tweet, the organisation said they had bought the tree back for another year after previous success, saying: “Free condoms hanging from the tree just help yourself.

“Be safe this Christmas and New Year. We will refill it regularly throughout the holiday period.”

People can normally walk into the centre and access free contraception but they have different hours over Christmas so will keep the tree up until twelfth night (5 January 2020).

The charity, which has run for 30 years, is now wholly funded by public donations after funding by Hertfordshire County Council was withdrawn.

Councils took over responsibility for sexual health services from the NHS in 2013 as part of a health shake up.

But the changes have seen total spending by councils fall by 14% from £668m to £572m, between 2013 and 2018.

Ian Murtagh from the charity told the BBC that it was important to raise awareness of safe sex over Christmas because “judgement is often blurred” if you’ve been out partying.