UK’s most iconic landmarks lit up in glowing orange to raise awareness for rare genetic condition

SOME of the UK’s most iconic landmarks were glowing orange last night – to raise awareness for a rare genetic condition, Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS).

Battersea Power Station in London, Cardiff Castle, Newcastle’s Millenium Bridge and York City Walls were among the buildings to glow brightly.

The illusion lasted between 8.30pm until sunrise, across 38 different landmarks, symbolising the end of Prader-Willi Awareness month in May.

‘Move It May’, a month-long awareness campaign has seen people from all walks of life, including those with PWS, challenging themselves to cover a set distance through exercise, whether it be swimming, cycling, running, pushing a wheelchair or any other form of movement.

Nigel Birrell, CEO of , the company behind the activation, said: “The Prader-Willi Syndrome Association is a charity very close to my heart and I’ve long been a supporter of the amazing work that they do.

“It’s been so fantastic to see this many buildings around the country lighting up to raise awareness for PWS, we’re really overwhelmed with the response.

“And on top of that, to have so many people coming together to move, walk, swim and even dance their way to over 2,700km is a huge achievement for the community, one they should be incredibly proud of.”

This year’s Move it May challenge serves as a reminder that movement and exercise are vital to those affected by PWS, but also hugely beneficial to the nation at large.

This year, in celebration of the UK lighting up for Prader-Willi, the entire Move it May community has covered the number of steps it would take to walk between each orange landmark – over 3.6million steps, from Dundee to Bournemouth via Belfast.

Prader-Willi Syndrome affects approximately 2,000 people in the UK and is a rare complex genetic disorder that impacts both males and females from birth and throughout their lives.

It causes an overwhelming and uncontrollable drive to eat that can be life-limiting, as well as learning and physical disabilities.

The ‘Glow Orange’ campaign was organised by Lottoland in support of its charity partner, PWSA UK and the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research UK.

In celebration, throughout June the company will be matching all donations made via its PWSA charity scratchcard, which launched earlier this year to help raise funds and awareness for the cause.

Jackie Lodge of PWSA UK and Catherine Shaw of FPWR UK issued a joint statement on the day, saying: “This is a huge step for our PWS community.

“Our respective charities have, for the first time, come together for PWS awareness month and thanks to Lottoland we have been able to make this even more special with the Glow Orange campaign.

“It is vitally important to raise awareness and funds to help our PWS community.”