Light Up Purple for CES – Every Hour Matters
To celebrate Cauda Equina Syndrome Awareness day, on the 30th September and 1st October, buildings, landmarks, businesses and homes across the UK will light up purple for CES awareness day, providing lots of opportunities to get involved!
Up to 6 people a day in the UK are diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome.
When Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) is suspected, timely recognition, assessment and treatment matters. By lighting up purple, you can help us put CES in the spotlight, start conversations and make more people aware of the symptoms that should never be ignored.
How to get involved in the Awareness Day Light-Up
1. Go Purple
Show your support for CES Awareness Day by goiing purple — whether it’s a purple top, socks, accessories or purple hair, anything goes. Just have fun and get adventurous. If it’s at home, in the office or meeting with friends, everyone can get involved.
2. Visit A Light Up Location
Head to your local town hall or landmark that’s lighting up purple and take a photo. Whether you go with family, friends or by yourself, join us in showing your support and spreading awareness. Don’t forget to share your photos of the lit-up locations!
3. Share Your Purple
Show us how you are supporting CES Awareness Day on our Facebook page. Share your lights, decorations and outfits and use the hashtags #CESAwarenessDay #CESChampions #EveryHourMatters #LightUpPurple
4. How Else You Can Be Involved
Everyone can get involved. Whether you’re joining in at home, at school or at work, there are lots of ways to show support. Children can get involved with purple face paint, purple- themed games or even throw a purple party. You could decorate your home with purple balloons, fairy lights or anything else you can think of. However, you choose to get involved, get creative, have fun and share your photos with us to help spread awareness.
5. Help Us Light Up More Venues & Tell Us When They Say YES!
Know a local landmark that could get involved? Get in touch with them and encourage them to light up purple in support. We have created a template email below that you can copy, personalise and send. Download template
If they agree to take part, let us know by completing the form below.
Confirmed Light Up Purple locations
Tower 42 – 1st October
Corn Exchange, King’s Lynn – 1st October
Ipswich Town Hall – 1st October
Chantry Place, Norwich – 1st October
Rochester Cathedral – 1st October
Brighton Palace Pier – 1st October
O2 Guildhall Southampton – 1st October
Ashton Gate Stadium – 30th September
The Albert Clock Face, Barnstaple – 1st October
Nottingham City Council house – 30th September
Moosa-Duke Solicitors – 1st October
The Guildhall – 1st October
Whittle Arch – 1st October
Greyfriars Green Walkway – 1st October
Trigger the horse – 1st October
First Direct Arena, Leeds – 30th September
Bradford City Hall Clocktower – 1st October
The Mirror Pool – 1st October
The Deep – 30th September
Steps Rehab – 1st October
Wainhouse Tower – 1st October
Pinderfields Hospital – 1st October
Leeds Civic Hall – 30th September
Leeds Town Hall – 30th September
Leeds City Museum – 30th September
Penshaw Monument, Sunderland – 1st October
Northern Spire Bridge, Sunderland – 1st October
Fulwell Mill, Sunderland – 1st October
Silksworth Pit Wheel, Sunderland – 1st October
Port of Liverpool – 1st October
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester – 1st October
Blackpool Tower – 30th September
Liverpool Mersey Gate Bridge – 1st October
Worthing Town Hall – 1st October
Sir John Barrow Monument – 1st October
Wigan Town Hall – 1st October
Barrow Town Hall – 1st October
Slater & Gordon Offices – 1st October
Dumbarton Headquarters – 1st October
Camera Obscura – 1st October
Hamilton Town House – 1st October
Council Headquarters in Dumfries – 1st October
Qufora Ltd Offices – 1st October
Canolfan Alun R Edwards – 30th September
The Bandstand, Aberystwyth – 30th September
Chimney (Civic Building) – 1st October
Antrim Civic Centre – 1st October
Ballyclare Town Hall – 1st October
Council Offices – 1st October
The Tinnies – 1st October
Enniskillen Castle – 30th September
Strule Arts Centre – 30th September
FAQs
Up to 6 people a day are diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome. Through better awareness and education, we want to ensure outcomes are improved for individuals to help reduce chronic Cauda Equina Syndrome.
Every purple building or landmark helps us:
- Put Cauda Equina Syndrome in the spotlight.
- Raise awareness of the red-flag symptoms associated with CES.
- Reinforce the importance of seeking urgent medical assessment when CES is suspected.
- Encourage conversations about a condition that many people have never heard of until it happens to them or someone they love.
- Stand alongside people living with the long-term consequences of Cauda Equina Syndrome.
- Remind healthcare professionals, patients and the wider public of one crucial message:
Every Hour Matters.
We chose purple for our Light Up Purple for CES campaign because it is already used as an awareness colour for neuropathy, nerve damage and chronic pain – experiences that are highly relevant to people affected by Cauda Equina Syndrome.
CES is a serious neurological condition caused by compression of the nerves at the base of the spine. For some people, the resulting nerve damage can lead to lifelong neurological symptoms, including neuropathic pain, altered sensation, numbness, bladder, bowel and mobility difficulties.
By lighting landmarks across the UK purple, we are using one powerful and highly visible colour to shine a light on Cauda Equina Syndrome, neurological injury and the lasting impact of nerve damage, while reinforcing the importance of recognising the warning signs and acting quickly.
Light Up Purple for CES – Every Hour Matters.
Everyone can Light Up Purple for CES.
On 30th September & 1st October 2026, you could:
Light up your window with purple LED lights, fairy lights or a purple bulb.
Turn your home purple with outdoor lighting, purple ribbons or decorations. Purchase here.
Light up your workplace and encourage colleagues to learn about CES.
Ask a local business – restaurants, cafés, shops, gyms and other businesses can all join the campaign.
Go purple and tell people why.
Take a photograph of your purple display or a local landmark and share it on social media.