WATCH the skyline glow on Saturday 26 March as landmarks from Shetland to the Borders help to highlight international Purple Day for epilepsy.
Several local councils, public bodies and commercial companies are keen to support Epilepsy Scotland’s public awareness campaign by having Scottish landmarks Turn Scotland Purple to get people talking about epilepsy.
The national charity’s chief executive, Lesslie Young, said: “Purple Day presents us with a wonderful opportunity to draw attention to epilepsy up and down the country.
“Various celebrated landmarks are featured in our Turn Scotland Purple campaign which this year includes the Kelpies and Lerwick Town Hall to the Scottish Borders Council offices flying a purple flag.
“Epilepsy affects around 55,000 people and impacts every community in Scotland. These displays help us to share information about epilepsy and hopefully to lessen the social stigma that surrounds it.
“We are grateful to individuals, schools and colleges, workplaces and commercial companies, local councils, public bodies and MSPs for taking part in Purple Day.
“We now have one million supporters for our social media thunderclap that epilepsy is more than seizures.
“Several local authorities are promoting this and Purple Day on their own sites. These joint efforts are really bringing epilepsy into the spotlight.”
ENDS
Notes to editor:
1. Epilepsy Scotland works with people affected by epilepsy to ensure that their voice is heard. We campaign for improved healthcare, better information provision and an end to stigma. This common serious neurological condition affects one in 97 people. We represent the 55,000 people with epilepsy, their families and carers. Our freephone Helpline (0808 800 2200) offers support and information. People can email (enquiries@epilepsyscotland.org.uk), text 07786 209501, find us on facebook, use twitter @epilepsy_scot or visit: www.epilepsyscotland.org.uk
2. Purple Day is on 26 March. It was founded in Canada by nine year-old Cassidy Megan in 2008 who has epilepsy herself: www.purpleday.org Historically, lavender is the international colour associated with epilepsy. Purple Day is a fun way for the public to learn more about epilepsy by doing activities that spotlight epilepsy
3. Epilepsy Scotland’s Turn Purple Scotland campaign, now in its third year, encourages people to ask for iconic landmarks across the country to be lit up or turn purple. As a result, Ness Bridge (Inverness) will once more be floodlit purple while the Scottish Borders Council flagpole will display a purple flag. Scottish Canals will light up the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel, and customers at Glencoe Mountain Resort have purple ribbons for snowmen. Ayr United football team has also agreed to wear their purple and white away team strip at their home game on Purple Day, Saturday 26 March. Fraserburgh Academy will have purple tones at the weekend while commuters may possibly see purple sheep on the Pyramid Business Park at Livingstone.
4. This year local councils have been invited to turn a famous building, castle, bridge or other public place purple and the response to date is:
Aberdeen City Council – Marischal College
Argyll and Bute Council – McCaig’s Tower (Oban)
East Ayrshire – Kilmarnock Station Clock and Burns Tower in Mauchline
Scottish Borders Council – Offices in Newtown St Bothwells flagpole
Shetland Islands – Lerwick Town Hall
South Lanarkshire Council – East Kilbride Old Parish Church, Hamilton Town Hall, Rutherglen Town Hall
West Dunbartonshire Council – the Titan Crane (Clydebank)
West Lothian Council – West Lothian Civic Centre
5. Epilepsy Scotland’s thunderclap will go live at noon on Saturday 26 March:
https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/37058-epilepsy-is-more-than-seizures
Or people can link directly to the thunderclap from Epilepsy Scotland’s website: http://www.epilepsyscotland.org.uk/index.php?act=viewNews&docId=212
6. Twilight is expected around 6.45pm on Saturday 26 March.
7. For more details please contact:
Allana Parker, public relations officer, on: 0141 427 4911 or 07884 012 147
Email: aparker@epilepsyscotland.org.uk
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Epilepsy Scotland contact details…
Contact: Allana Parker
Phone: 07884012147
Email: aparker@epilepsyscotland.org.uk
Website: http://www.epilepsyscotland.org.uk
