A Burnham-On-Sea building will be illuminated in purple on Sunday 25th October as part of a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of a debilitating and often misunderstood medical condition.
Landmarks and buildings across the UK are turning purple to mark PoTS Awareness Day.
Thanks to the generosity of local business Somerset Projections, the Holley and Steer Solicitors building in Victoria Street, Burnham-On-Sea will join the campaign. It will be lit from 7-8pm.
PoTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) is a condition affecting the autonomic nervous system, which controls essential bodily functions including heart rate, blood pressure and digestion.
It causes an abnormal increase in heart rate when standing and can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including chest pain, dizziness, fainting, extreme fatigue, heart palpitations, breathlessness, nausea, headaches and debilitating brain fog.
For some people living with the condition, even simple everyday activities such as standing, showering, preparing meals or walking short distances can become extremely challenging.
It is estimated that around 130,000 people in the UK live with PoTS, though the true figure may be higher, particularly following an increase in cases linked to COVID-19. Despite its significant impact on quality of life, the condition remains widely misunderstood, and many patients face lengthy delays in receiving a diagnosis.
Local resident Kez Dancy, who lives with PoTS, hopes the purple illumination will help bring much-needed attention to the condition and encourage greater understanding in the community. Kez approached Somerset Projections about supporting the awareness campaign, and the local business agreed to provide the projection free of charge.
Kez Dancy says: “Living with PoTS can be incredibly challenging, and one of the hardest parts is that people often can’t see how unwell you are. I wanted to do something to raise awareness, not just for myself but for everyone living with this condition. I’m incredibly grateful to Somerset Projections for helping make this happen.”
The purple display forms part of a growing nationwide movement organised by the charity PoTS UK, which encourages landmarks and businesses to illuminate their buildings in solidarity with those affected.
The initiative aims to increase public awareness and highlight the importance of earlier diagnosis, better medical understanding and improved support for people living with the condition.
Kez hopes that seeing the building lit up purple will encourage people to learn more about PoTS and recognise that not all disabilities and chronic illnesses are visible.
For more information about PoTS, including symptoms, diagnosis and support, visit www.potsuk.org.