Brave vicar with HIV tell her congregation about living with the illness

A brave vicar who contracted HIV following a brutal attack has made a tear-jerking video to let her congregation know.

Hayley Young, 28, was attacked in 2013 before suffering flu-like symptoms and being diagnosed with the disease.

The strong anti-viral drugs she has been taking has led to side effects, including hair loss - prompting questions from her 80-strong congregation.

She decided to take the courageous step and make the four minute video before showing it to her flock at Hayling Island Baptist Church, near Portsmouth.

Miss Young played the video - which shows her standing up holding heartfelt messages - to her congregation to make them aware of her illness.

In the clip, which in parts is darkly humorous, she holds up a board which says: "In 2013, after an attack, I was diagnosed with being HIV positive.

"No, I didn't update my Facebook status or my Twitter feed!

"Sometimes I'm tired, I'm in pain, I get sick, I am weak and sometimes I fall over (the beer doesn't help!)"

Her personal messages recount how she found out about her diagnosis and how she feels about it.

Miss Young, from Portsmouth, said: "I was shocked when I was diagnosed but I knew that with treatment it wasn't the end of the world.

"Obviously I told those close to me but, because of the stigma attached, it was not something I wanted to broadcast.

"People had begun to ask questions so, at the start of the month; I decided to tell the church.

"I decided to make the video to let my congregation know and they have all been amazing.

"There is about 80 people in my congregation and they have all been overwhelmingly supportive after I played the video - it made me feel very humble."

Miss Young, who has been working at the church for five years, said her medication is 'trial and error'.

She added: "The medication is trial and error.

"One of my side effects is hair loss and my hair started falling out one day.

"But my body will eventually get used to the tablets and the side effects will wear off.

"Lots of people live with HIV – it is a perfectly liveable disease – it is just the prejudice.

"There is a stigma attached and, thankfully, the church has shown itself to be an inclusive community."

In the video Hayley addresses the prejudice she has faced to an acoustic backing track called Never Let Go by singer Matt Redman.

She includes the poignant line: "Some said I was dangerous, I should not be near children, I was a risk.

"Seriously, do I look dangerous to you?

"It doesn't bother me.

"I'm the same as I was before, just a bit more positive."

Parishioners, including Alan Griffiths, said: "Rev Hayley is surely the most extraordinary, courageous person it has been my privilege to know.

"The reckless actions of others and illness may have weakened the body but you are surely anointed and blessed by God, and continue to be a blessing to all those who know and love you."

And Nicky Howard said: "You are Hayley... Our Hayley, we respect, love and admire you the same as we always have done xxx."

HIV, which stands for human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus which attacks the immune system, and weakens your ability to fight infections and disease.

The virus attacks the immune system, and weakens your ability to fight infections and disease. There is no cure for HIV, but there are treatments to enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life.