An Airdrie charity is supporting a special awareness day which will see North Lanarkshire Council’s headquarters illuminated in purple this evening.
The Civic Centre will be specially illuminated to mark the #PurpleWinter campaign which raises awareness of childhood abuse.
It was arranged following a request from Airdrie South councillor Paul Di Mascio, who is a trustee of the Moira Anderson Foundation, the local charity which works to support people affected by childhood abuse.
Foundation director Gillian Urquhart told the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser: “We’re absolutely delighted that North Lanarkshire Council is supporting the Purple Winter campaign – raising awareness of child abuse is hugely important in reducing the prevalence of this crime.
“The Moira Anderson Foundation has promoted both the summer and winter campaigns for a couple of years, and having the council back the initiative will certainly help raise its profile.”
Purple Winter was established by childhood sexual abuse survivor David Lean, and also includes a similar summer social media campaign encouraging supporters to wear purple.
Councillor Di Mascio said: “I’m delighted – both as a councillor and as a trustee of the Moira Anderson Foundation – that North Lanarkshire Council agreed to mark Purple Winter day.
“The Foundation fully supports this campaign, and the council shining a light on this issue highlights the very real issue of childhood abuse and promotes awareness.”
