Wear purple for epilepsy awareness

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Islanders are being asked to wear something purple tomorrow to increase awareness about epilepsy worldwide.

Purple Day is an international campaign, and last year people in dozens of countries on all continents- including Antarctica – participated. Now the Channel Islands are joining the list.

It was started in Canada in 2008 by Cassidy Megan, then nine-years-old, from Nova Scotia. She chose the colour purple because in some cultures the lavender flower is associated with solitude, which represents the feelings of isolation many people affected by epilepsy feel.

Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological condition and one in 100 of us have it. One in 20 will at some point in their lives have an epileptic seizure of some kind although they won’t go on to suffer from the condition. It is not a disease or an illness and is not contagious.

Skipton International is helping support International Purple Day in the Bailiwicks by raising awareness of epilepsy. The Channel Island bank’s staff will be going to work wearing purple to raise funds for the Epilepsy Association.

Skipton International’s Managing Director, Jim Coupe, is calling on other companies across the islands to join in.

“This condition affects over 65 million people worldwide, and there are over 40 different types. If we understand it better then it will make the lives of those who have the condition much easier. We urge people to make the effort and support Purple day to increase understanding and raise funds for the Epilepsy Association,” he said.

For information on how to take part go to: www.epilepsy.org.uk/involved/fundraise-events/purple-day