Sir Ian McKellen wants you to walk along the Wall to combat AIDS

The 2017 China Aids Walk Beijing is on September 23

Literally everyone between Beijing and Baltimore agrees on two universal truths: that Sir Ian McKellen = good and HIV = bad. If you agree with that, you'll also agree that this video is the best thing you've seen all day.

https://v.qq.com/txp/iframe/player.html?vid=w0544z9kgxl&width=500&height=375&auto=0

Gandalf's not wrong, you know. China is currently in the midst of a much-ignored AIDS crisis, with the rate of new infections among 15 to 24-year-olds rising 35 percent year-on-year. There's a whole lot of work to be done not only to beat the disease, but to combat the stigma and outdated, often bigoted stereotypes surrounding HIV+ people.

If you agree with Magneto and want to stick two fingers up at AIDS, then China AIDS Walk 2017 is looking for teams of kind-hearted folks to spread the word and raise some cash. The walk, which takes place on September 23, has been going on for a few years now and aims to promote community outreach programmes and raise safe-sex awareness; last year, it raised a whopping 377,159RMB on its Beijing leg alone.

https://v.qq.com/txp/iframe/player.html?vid=k0531f56bj6&width=500&height=375&auto=0This video explains a little more about the aims and background of the walk.

Teams of walkers can register to take part through the organisation's website, and can collect donations through WeChat, Alipay and PayPal. 22,000RMB has already been raised, but come on, Beijingers – we can do better than that!

China AIDS Walk Beijing 2013.

Fight HIV and AIDS. Advocate for those infected with the virus, those who love them and those who strive every day to give it a good hard kick up the a**e and bring an end to the tyranny of this disease. Have an incredible, life-affirming time walking along the Great Wall of China alongside some truly amazing people and with the backing of the one and only Sir Ian McKellen – it's a no-brainer, really.

To register to take part in China AIDS Walk 2017, hit '阅读原文'.

More from Time Out Beijing