By JESSE GRAHAM
COLDSTREAM’S Primary School community gathered for a special fundraiser last week aiming to raise awareness of epilepsy, with every student showing their support.
Wednesday 26 March was Purple Day – a day when people worldwide are asked to wear purple to raise awareness about epilepsy and its effects.
Coldstream Primary School students came out in force on Purple Day and Student Welfare Officer Amy Carter said the entire 115-pupil school took part and donned purple clothing.
The school managed to raise $180 for the Epilepsy Foundation on the day and Ms Carter said the event was important for teaching children about the disability.
“It’s about creating that awareness to other kids so they can see what it’s like on a day-to-day basis,” she said.
“It helps with their understanding of the condition and how it can make children with epilepsy feel.”
Ms Carter said the day was a great success and that this year’s Purple Day was the latest in many years of Coldstream students taking part.
“We have several children within the school community with epilepsy, so it’s very close to us,” she said.
“It went wonderfully – there was a better outcome than we expected.”
Epilepsy is a brain condition, with a main symptom of reoccurring seizures which can be treated by medication or, in severe cases, surgery.
The disability affects about 50 million people worldwide.
For more information, visit www.purpleday.org.
