Epilepsy Action Australia, the largest provider of services for people living with epilepsy in Australia, is excited to announce the involvement of two high-profile Australian icons in its 2020 Purple Day campaign for epilepsy awareness, welcoming Purple Wiggle Lachy as an Ambassador, and confirming that, for the first time ever, the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House will light up purple for epilepsy awareness on Purple Day, March 26.
Purple Day, now in its 13th year, is a grassroots, global movement raising awareness of epilepsy on March 26 each year, with purple being the internationally recognised colour for epilepsy awareness.
Purple Wiggle Lachy jumped at the chance to become an Ambassador for Epilepsy Action Australia; epilepsy has been a part of Lachy’s family’s life for as long as he can remember, after his younger brother Cameron was diagnosed with the neurological condition at birth.
“Cameron is only two years younger than me, so I don’t remember a time without epilepsy in our lives really,” recalls Lachy. “Looking at him now – such a wonderful husband to his wife Kelly and father to Charlotte – I’m just so proud of the life that he’s forged; he’s never let epilepsy get in his way.”
Cameron’s daughter Charlotte, now three years old, also lives with epilepsy, having been diagnosed as a baby with Dravet Syndrome.
“Charlotte absolutely loves music and watching and listening to The Wiggles is one of the only things that is guaranteed to settle her when she’s having a rough time,” explains Lachy. “I sing The Wiggles songs to her whenever I’m home, and she just stares at me and gives me cuddles, it’s the most beautiful thing. She is such a gorgeous little girl.”
In accepting his new role as Ambassador for Epilepsy Action Australia, prior to Purple Day Lachy said, “Purple has become a very special colour for me over the last few years – first with being the Purple Wiggle and then as I came to understand that purple is the colour for epilepsy awareness. Having the chance to be the Purple Wiggle on Purple Day, to raise awareness about this condition which has touched my family so closely, and to help spread the word about the lifechanging work that Epilepsy Action Australia does, is a very special opportunity. And how exciting is it going to be to see the Opera House light up purple for epilepsy for the very first time?! ”
Carol Ireland, CEO of Epilepsy Action Australia, said “We are beyond thrilled to have Lachy on board as our Ambassador with perfect timing for Purple Day this year. As the Purple Wiggle, Lachy is an Aussie icon – he has touched the hearts of millions of families over the years, and we know that having him share his and his family’s personal experience with epilepsy will help to really shine a light on the impact of the condition for the 250,000 Australians diagnosed. We feel so fortunate to this year have two Aussie icons helping us to raise awareness of epilepsy – Lachy the Purple Wiggle, and the Sydney Opera House, which we can’t wait to see light up purple on Purple Day for the first time ever!”
“For Purple Day this year we hope that having Purple Wiggle Lachy as our Ambassador, paired with the stunning sight of the Opera House lit up in purple, will encourage the Australian community to dig deep and donate to the Epilepsy Action Purple Day campaign. Our goal is to raise $250,000 this year - $1 for each of the 250,000 Australians living with epilepsy,” finishes Ms Ireland.
Get Involved in Purple Day this March
Epilepsy Action would like to encourage all Australians to get involved in Purple Day this year to raise funds and awareness, with some ideas including:
- Host your own fundraising event with a purple twist – a morning tea, a BBQ, a bake sale, a run, whatever you can think of! The only limit is your imagination.
- Get your school involved – hold a free dress day, sports day, sausage sizzle, or deliver Epilepsy Awareness presentations for K-2 or 3-6 in class.
- Buy our merchandise to show support and start conversations including t-shirts, hats, keyrings, pens and wristbands
- Make a donation online or phone 1300 37 45 37, to help support what we do.
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