The Terry Higgins Memorial Quilt

This quilt is a memorial for Terrence Higgins, known as Terry, and is on public display for the first time in the gallery's thoroughfare.

The quilt goes on display as part of the a redisplay of the Ruskin Collection exploring the power of making by hand to do good. 

Terry Higgins was the first named person to die from an AIDS-related illness in the UK. His death in 1982 sparked the creation of a charity in his name that would alter the course of the HIV epidemic and save countless lives.

Terry's quilt was produced to mark the 40th anniversary of his death and celebrate his incredible legacy through Terrence Higgins Trust. Each of the eight panels celebrate different aspects of his life, including as a Welshman, as a gay man and his time in the Royal Navy.

Other panels celebrate friendship, LGBT Pride and a personal tribute from Terry's partner Rupert. There is also panel made by service users, volunteers and staff from Terrence Higgins Trust to celebrate the huge progress made in the fight against HIV over the last 40 years. The quilt is on public display for the first time for a limited period during 2024.

The project was overseen by the charity's co-founders Rupert Whitaker OBE (Terry's partner) and Martyn Butler OBE, as well as Terry's close friends Linda Payan and Maxine Saunders, who worked closely with talented quilters from across the UK.

The quilt also celebrates four decades of Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK's leading HIV and sexual health charity. Its life-changing work includes supporting people living with HIV, ensuring sexual and reproductive health are national priorities and fighting to make the UK the first country in the world to end new HIV cases by 2030.

For more information on HIV and Terrence Higgins Trust visit tht.org.uk