Historic Buildings Will Be Lit Up In Support Of Charity Campaign, Thanks To Irwin Mitchell

Landmarks across the globe will turn red on Wednesday 22 February to help shine a light on a devastating brain condition – and they’ll be joined by Manchester’s Town Hall and the Old Wagon Hoist in Leeds, thanks to the efforts of a city law firm.

Manchester City Council will light up the iconic town hall in support of World Encephalitis Day, following a request from Sarah Sharples, an associate solicitor at Irwin Mitchell.

In Leeds, developers MEPC will light up the Old Wagon Hoist, a historic lifting tower in Wellington Place, after being contacted by Sarah Coles, a partner and clinical negligence expert at Irwin Mitchell.

World Encephalitis Day is a global campaign led by The Encephalitis Society that aims to raise awareness of the condition, an inflammation of the brain, which affects 500,000 people around the world each year.

Staff from Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester and Leeds offices will also lend their support to the campaign by wearing items of red clothing on 22 February, sharing pictures on social media using the hashtag #RED4WED.

As well as Manchester Town Hall and the Old Wagon Hoist, other world-famous landmarks turning red for this year’s campaign include Niagara Falls, London’s Trafalgar Square fountains, and Blackpool Tower.

Sarah Coles, expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office, said:

Expert Opinion

“Encephalitis can be caused by an infection of the brain, or by the immune system attacking the brain in error, and this can kill or leave people severely disabled. If treated promptly, however, these problems can be avoided or significantly reduced, as we’ve seen with clients we have represented in the past.” Sarah Coles - Partner

Sarah Sharples, associate solicitor at Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office, said: 

Expert Opinion

“We work closely with The Encephalitis Society to raise awareness of encephalitis to the general public – having represented many sufferers and their families over the years, we’ve seen first-hand the terrible impact the condition can have.”

“The campaign is dedicated to raising as much awareness as possible, so we’re thrilled that these historic buildings in Manchester and Leeds will be turning red for World Encephalitis Day. Irwin Mitchell are proud to be playing even a small part – we’ll be wearing red with pride on 22 February!”
Sarah Sharples - Partner

Founded in 2014, World Encephalitis Day is the global awareness drive for encephalitis. Since its inception, it has reached more than 20 million people about the condition. 

In the UK alone, encephalitis affects 6,000 people annually – more than better-known conditions such as motor neurone disease. It is caused by either an infection of the brain, or by the immune system attacking the brain in error. 

Mortality rates in both adults and children with encephalitis are high, and those who survive are often left with an acquired brain injury, which can affect concentration, memory and judgement, and cause epilepsy and fatigue.

Dr Ava Easton, Chief Executive of The Encephalitis Society, said: “Encephalitis has a widespread and long-lasting impact, which is why our aim is to make as many people as possible aware of the condition and the devastation it can leave in its wake.

“Our hope is to illuminate as many homes, buildings and landmarks across the world as possible on 22 February and ‘shine a light on encephalitis.’”

Read more about the work of Irwin Mitchell’s specialist medical lawyers and how they can help you.