PURPLE power was in full force to raise awareness about a rare form of epilepsy suffered by a young schoolboy.
Harley Rigler, 4, from Kelsall, battles daily against Dravet Syndrome which causes him to have fits and affects his mobility and speech.
But last Friday, his classmates, teachers and local residents were united in a fundraising effort at Kelsall Primary School which saw participants dressed in the colour purple.
The ‘Purple Day’ event saw almost £500 raised for the IDEA League, a UK branch of the charity set up by Harley’s mum Dawn Paterson who also organised the fundraiser itself.
Dawn, who was present at the event along with daughter Hannah who doesn’t suffer from Dravet Syndrome, was touched by the support the family received.
She said: “There was a lot of Purple around and it was lovely to see everyone taking part and showing so much interest.
“It was so lovely for me to have the support from the parents and the school and I just want to thank everyone for their generosity.
“We had an amazing response to cakes being brought in. Suffice to say there were lots passed around the playground during the afternoon school run which went down very well with the parents.
“The money will go into our research pot of money which we hope to be able to offer as a grant to get research into a cure for Dravet Syndrome one day.”
Dawn’s partner Adam Rigler also organised a Purple Day in the offices of his company Card One Banking, based in Pulford.
Staff dressed in purple while one employee drove to work in a purple car. They raised more than £100.
For more information about Dravet Syndrome and the charity visit www.idea-league.org.uk
