Six Sunderland landmarks to be lit purple for PoTS awareness

Keel Square, Northern Spire Bridge, Fulwell Mill, Hylton Castle, Cliffe Park Lighthouse and Penshaw Monument will all be bathed in the colour to promote awareness of PoTS – Postural Tachycardia Syndrome.

PoTS is a debilitating condition which affects people of all ages; often first presenting itself in teens and young adults. It is an autonomic nervous system disorder and therefore can affect many parts of the body.

Symptoms include tachycardia (heart rate over 100 beats a minute), dizziness, fainting, chest pain, breathlessness, chest pain, gastrointestinal issues and severe fatigue among others.

According to Dr Nicholas Gall, around 170 per 100,000 patients in the UK may have PoTS.

The charity PoTS UK said: “Raising awareness of PoTS is even more important than ever, as we are becoming aware of an increasing number of reports of people developing PoTS and other types of autonomic dysfunction after contracting Covid-19.

“The charity is doing everything it can to support GPs and hospital specialists, as well as working alongside NICE to update their guidance and offer a safe space of education, support and community to those suffering from PoTS or extended friends and family members who want to help understand more about the condition.”

Purple is the official colour of PoTS UK and around 80 buildings across the UK will be suitably lit including: Gateshead’s Millennium Bridge, Tower 42 in London, Ely Cathedral, Old Joe in Birmingham, Clacton Pier and the town halls of Liverpool, Leeds and Middlesbrough.

For more information, help and details on how to contribute, visit www.potsuk.org.