A NATIONAL charity is urging people in the town to help them raise awareness of one the UK’s least-known, life-threatening diseases by ‘Going Purple’ throughout the month of March.

Kidney Research UK is making its colourful appeal in the run up to World Kidney Day, which takes place on Thursday, March 13 and aims to highlight the growing threat of kidney disease. In total, over three million people in the UK are at risk from the illness.

Everyone from office workers to school children are being encouraged to take part by organising purple-themed events and Kidney Research UK has produced a special ‘Purple Pack’ of ideas which is available from www.kidneyresearchuk.org/gopurple.

There are almost 500 people in Wiltshire who are currently on dialysis or receiving follow-on care after having a kidney transplant and a further 63 who are still waiting for a transplant.

Henry Kimbell, Kidney Research UK’s Fundraising Manager for South West England, said: “People in Wiltshire can help make a real difference to the lives of those with kidney disease by getting behind our ‘Go Purple’ campaign this March.”

For more information about World Kidney Day and how to get involved, please visit: www.kidneyresearchuk.org