This is the reason why landmarks across Wearside will be lit up in purple

The Hepatitis C Trust is planning biggest World Hepatitis Day yet, with the event to be staged on Tuesday, July 28.

It will be marked across Sunderland with the help of the city council, which has agreed to change the lighting on landmarks to purple in recognition of the awareness drive.

Among those to be included will be Penshaw Monument and the Northern Spire bridge, while other North East locations, such as the Angel of the North, will also be part of the effort.

On the day, the trust’s staff and volunteers will be working to collectively climb the equivalent of Mount Everest’s 8,848 metres, with supporters joining in across the country and celebrating their achievement with a picnic, where they will gather via video call.

Other plans include a series of DJ sets livestreamed via Zoom on Sunday, July 26, and local testing drives and awareness events across the UK.

Money raised will be split between The Hepatitis C Trust’s peer-to-peer support volunteer programme and the mental health charity Mind, in recognition of the mental health impacts of lockdown restrictions and the crucial role that fund plays as a source of support for those experiencing mental health problems.

The trust’s goal is to eliminate hepatitis C in the UK by 2030 through supporting and advocating for those who are living with, affected by, or at risk of hepatitis C.

It is estimated that 143,000 people in the UK are living with hepatitis C, a blood-borne virus which can cause serious and even fatal damage to the liver if left untreated, among other health impacts.

Despite this, around two-thirds of those with hepatitis C are living with an undiagnosed infection.

The most common route of transmission is through sharing equipment for injecting drugs.

Other risk factors include receiving medical and dental care in countries with poor sterilisation practices, tattooing in unlicensed premises, sexual activity involving blood-to-blood contact, and having received a blood transfusion or blood products through the NHS prior to 1991.

For more information visit www.hepctrust.org.uk.

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