A PENSIONER is raising awareness about his rare condition.
Malcolm Leggett, 80, from Pembroke Gardens, Holland-on-Sea, developed encephalitis in 2007.
The rare but serious condition is an inflammation of the brain usually caused by an infection.
He said: “Thankfully, I fully recovered, but until suffering this condition, I had never heard of it or its devastating effects for some people.
“Similarly none of my family or friends were aware of it either.
“I joined the Encephalitis Society and their quarterly newsletter Connect has made me realise how lucky I was.
“The Encephalitis Society wants to change this and launched a global campaign World Encephalitis Day.”
“In the six years since it has reached around 180 million people and become the most important day in our calendar for raising awareness.”
Clacton Pier will be lit red for World Encephalitis Day
In past years famous buildings across the world, such as the CN Tower in Toronto and Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, were lit up in red in order to shine a light on the awareness campaign.
Clacton Pier has now agreed to turn red on February 22 to support the World Encephalitis Day awareness campaign.
The retired sales manager added: “The society asked for volunteers to approach the owners of local landmarks to ask for them to be turned red on February 22.
“I am delighted to say that the management of Clacton Pier have agreed to do this.”
The condition affects 500,000 people globally each year.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel