Town Hall to Turn Purple to Highlight Epilepsy
South Shields Town Hall will be bathed in a purple light this Friday (26 March) to raise awareness of epilepsy.
More than 600,000 people have epilepsy in the UK with the disease affecting one in 50 people at some point in their life.
Organised by the Epilepsy Society, 'Purple Day' is an opportunity to raise awareness of this 'hidden illness' and encourage people to talk about the condition.
Purple Day was created in 2008 by then nine-year-old Cassidy Megan, a Canadian girl living with epilepsy. She came up with the idea as a way to dispel the myths surrounding epilepsy and raise awareness positively. It is now celebrated annually all over the world.
Councillor Anne Hetherington, Lead Member for Independence and Wellbeing, said "With so many people affected by epilepsy, we thought it only right to light up our beautiful Town Hall in support of the day and to reassure those with epilepsy that they are not alone.
"It is important to remember that epilepsy is linked to depression. Given the challenges many people have faced throughout the past year with their mental health, it is more important than ever before to raise awareness of this illness."