Nationwide campaign to raise awareness of young people affected by epilepsy. 16 May 2011

Dai Greene has become the official ambassador for My Purple Pledge, a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of the 60,000 young people and children who are affected by epilepsy in the UK.

Living with epilepsy himself, Dai knows only too well the challenges that epilepsy can present to young people. With his Olympic preparations in full swing, he has joined forces with the National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy (NCYPE) in the hope of becoming an inspiration to the many young people and children who are overcoming some of those hurdles.

Dai commented: “I am proud to be an ambassador for My Purple Pledge campaign, for the National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy (NCYPE). As an elite athlete, I hope to inspire all young people that you can live a normal life with epilepsy and follow your dreams to do whatever you want. I was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 17, and I’m lucky that my condition is not severe but I have learned to change my lifestyle and know my trigger points to stay away from seizures.

“There are 60,000 young people under 18 with epilepsy in the UK and fundraising is vital to support the treatment for these young people and their families, so I urge everyone to find out more and pledge purple.”

Having launched on International Purple Day, March 26 2011, the inaugural My Purple Pledge campaign is set to culminate during National Epilepsy Week, May 15-22. It has seen widespread success, encouraging people to make purple pledges like dyeing their hair purple, or bathing in baths of blackcurrant squash, in a bid to educate the public on epilepsy and its affects on children and young people.

Lisa Farmer, Director of Fundraising at the NCYPE, commented: “We are delighted to have Dai as the campaign ambassador for My Purple Pledge, he is a true role model for all the children and young people with epilepsy. Purple has swept the nation, making the campaign a huge success. We at the NCYPE, along with our new ambassador, are now looking forward to My Purple Pledge 2012.

“Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological disorder in childhood, affecting around one child in every primary school. Here at the NCYPE, our special school, Further Education college, medical centre and residential homes provide 24-hour care for our young people who are unable to attend mainstream school or live at home with their families.”

The NCYPE has also gathered an assortment of followers reaching all corners of the British Isles, including Newcastle United FC and Leeds United FC both showing their support.  Many of the nation’s landmarks also turned purple for the campaign, including London’s Horses of Helios fountain in Piccadilly Circus and Birmingham’s Victoria Square fountain, affectionately named The Floozy in the Jacuzzi.

For more information on the NCYPE please visit www.ncype.org.uk