A Sheffield shopping centre turned purple to raise awareness for eating disorders and rare diseases during an annual campaign week.

Meadowhall turned its roof lights purple for the Eating Disorders Awareness week & Rare Disease Day, from 23 February until 1 March.

This was a reminder of the Light Up for Rare initiative, that encourages landmarks to light up in colours representing rare diseases. The colour purple is often used as a symbol of challenges people face, normally found in the form of a ribbon.

The South Yorkshire Eating Disorders Association described Meadowhall as ‘a central hub for communities across South Yorkshire’ in their post acknowledging the partnership.

Sophie O’Horan Williams, Campaign and Engagement Coordinator, said: “Eating Disorders Awareness Week is an annual event that focuses on a theme, this year’s was ‘community’.

“Meadowhall is a central hub of activity within South Yorkshire and a place where the local community come together. For this reason, we chose to work with Meadowhall for Eating Disorders Awareness Week.”

The SYEDA aimed to raise awareness about the impact of eating disorders and promote support and recovery for those affected.

The association appeared on the digital screens of Meadowhall, which they commissioned. Highlighting this move, it posted online: “Ensuring that we have as much visibility as possible is integral to our mission in supporting those affected by eating disorders.”

The non-profit organisation, Rare Disease Day, which supports the international event held on 28 February, aimed to raise awareness and generate change for 300 million worldwide living with rare disease.

It was created on 2008, and is celebrated every year on 28 February, except on leap years when it is celebrated on the 29th – the rarest day of the year.

EURORDIS, which established and coordinates Rare Disease Day, received funding for its website under an operating grant from the European Union’s Health Programme (2021-2027), allowing it to promote 1,400 other organisations spreading awareness.

In addition, their website shares the stories of people who suffer, from different ages to different diseases.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, contact Beat, Monday-Friday, 3pm-8pm. For urgent help, contact 999 or Samaritans at 116 123.