In April 1992, QUEEN fans got together to form a charitable organization to raise funds for AIDS sufferers in Japan. The purposes were to fight discrimination against AIDS, which had deprived Freddie of his life, and to provide financial support for HIV sufferers and AIDS patients. This was the beginning of the Freddie Mercury Association.
FMA established the Freddie Mercury (AIDS) Fund, and had raised £102,854.29 in total for 17 years through postal money transfer and donation to fund-raising boxes set up at various event venues. We had donated these funds to domestic volunteer organizations in need.
In May 1994, we agreed to collaborate with the MPT, and began to operate as an affiliated organization of the MPT in Japan.
FMA became more than just a fan club. Our main activities were raising funds, managing and donating the monies to the selected organizations, and ensuring that the money was effectively used by the recipient organizations. All activities were conducted by voluntary workers. Unfortunately, however, it became more and more difficult to maintain these activities because of the chronic shortage of staff and difficulty in recruiting new fund recipient candidates. As a result, at the end of 2008, FMA had terminate its activities.
If you are based in Japan and would be interested in supporting the MPT through the FMA, let us know at
liz@mercuryphoenixtrust.com.