Charity of the week

There are about 600,000 people living with epilepsy in the UK – around one in every 100 people. 87 people are diagnosed with epilepsy every day. Epilepsy Action is the UK’S leading member-led charity which improves the lives of everyone affected by epilepsy by campaigning for better healthcare and fairer access to education and employment. Over 95% of this life-changing support is funded by donations and fundraising.

Each year Epilepsy Action directly helps more than two million people through a range of services, including the Epilepsy Action Helpline – freephone 0808-800 5050 – providing expert advice on a huge range of epilepsy-related subjects. Lack of funding means that, currently, half of all calls go unanswered. Awareness and fundraising on Purple Day (26 March) could change all that. To get involved, visit www.epilepsy.org.uk/purple