Lesslie Young, Chief Executive at Epilepsy Scotland discusses Purple Day on Sunday March 26, and how you can join in to make your voice heard and help raise awareness of epilepsy in your family, with friends and colleagues, across Scotland and the world!

What is Purple Day?

Sunday 26 March is Purple Day, a day when tens of thousands of people around the globe will come together physically and digitally, to start or enter conversations about epilepsy, raise awareness of their experiences of living with epilepsy, and to fundraise.

Purple Day is the most prominent date in the year for raising awareness of epilepsy.

Purple is our charity colour and the colour chosen by Cassidy Megan in 2008 when she launched ‘Purple Day’ motivated by her own challenges living with epilepsy.

Cassidy chose purple because lavender flowers are recognised internationally as the flower of epilepsy.

Lavender flowers are said to symbolise isolation and loneliness, feelings that many people with epilepsy can experience, especially when they are newly diagnosed.

Here at Epilepsy Scotland, we work to make sure the needs of people living with epilepsy are met by campaigning for improved healthcare, better information provision, and an end to stigma.

Our services are focused on improving the mental, physical, and financial wellbeing of people living with epilepsy of all ages.

Wear Purple!

This year, we are asking schools, local communities, and people in the workplace to wear something purple during March to help raise awareness and help support the 58,000 living with epilepsy in Scotland.

How can you join in?

1. Purple up! Show your support for Epilepsy Scotland and wear Purple on Sunday 26 March or any day in March.
2. Shout about it! Share photos on social media and don’t forget to tag Epilepsy Scotland.
3. Text PURPLEDAY to 70450 to donate £3.

If you have an idea of something else you would like to do to support Epilepsy Scotland this Purple Day, get in touch.

A huge thank you…

We are hugely grateful to everyone who has taken the courageous step to share their story about living with epilepsy and the following groups and individuals who are doing something special to fundraise and help raise awareness on or around Purple Day!

• Team Tigers (TigersGroup PLC) will be dressing purple and fundraising on the Friday before purple day 24 March.

• Queen’s Park players will wear Epilepsy Scotland t-shirts to warm up for their game against Arbroath on 24 March.

• Braehead Shopping Centre who have given us permission to hold a collection there on Sunday 26 March.

• Glasgow Clan Ice Hockey who invited us to have a collection in their arena on 25 March.

• Tunnock’s, who have donated over 600 limited edition purple-wrapped teacakes which we can raffle to raise much-needed funds.

• Liz who is holding a craft fair for us at the end of the month at the Bowling Club, Fergussie Park, Paisley.

• Warped Wax are selling purple wax melts in aid of Epilepsy Scotland during March.

• Board member Michael Sturrock is doing a double marathon swim. Sponsor Michael and read their story here.

• LivaNova are supporting Purple Day by busting myths and sharing facts about epilepsy.

• Queen’s Park, Raith Rovers, Ayr United football clubs, and the Glasgow Clan Ice Hockey team who created videos to help promote Purple Day.

• Thank you to the staff at the following buildings who will be lighting up purple on 26 March: Civic Centre (Livingston), Mackays Hotel (Wick), Dumfries & Galloway HQ, Shetland Town Hall, Stockbridge Church (Edinburgh), Perth Bridge, Lighting in Norrie Miller Park (Perth), St Matthews Church (Perth), St Paul’s Square (Perth), Hamilton Town House, OVO Hydro, Prestonfield House (Edinburgh), Covesea Lighthouse (Lossiemouth), EICC (Edinburgh), Civic Centre (Motherwell), Camera Obscura (Edinburgh), His Majesty’s Theatre (Aberdeen), Glasgow Science Centre, Ness Bridge (Inverness), Briggs Marine Head Office, Barony Castle Hotel (Peebles), McCaigs Tower (Oban), Castle House (Dunoon), Highland Mary Monument (Dunoon), Dunoon War memorial, West elevation of Dunoon pier building, Allan Church (Bannockburn), HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre, Perth Theatre, Perth Concert Hall, St Andrew’s University St Salvator’s Quad, Aberdeen Arts Centre, Arria Statue (Cumbernauld), Mugdock Country Park courtyard, Wallace Tower (Ayrshire), William Patrick Library (Kirkintilloch), Bearsden Community Hub, Milngavie Town Hall, Dingwall Town Hall, RRS Discovery (Dundee), Discovery Point building, The Witchery (Edinburgh), Balmoral Hotel Clock.