Blue Peter's leprosy appeal resurrected in Colchester

Leprosy is not a condition of the past. That is a myth.

It continues to blight people in more than 100 countries worldwide and is one of the leading causes of nerve damage.

Charity Lepra is putting its stamp back on the Colchester fundraising scene to urge us all to care about this illness.

LEPRA has been working to beat one of the most stigmatised diseases in the world for almost 95 years.

Nearly 50 of those have been from its UK HQ in Colchester where the charity is looking to ignite a resurgence of fundraising activity.

Lepra's Colchester office is at Middleborough, off North Hill

It began with Lepra’s Blue Peter appeal in 1996, fronted by presenter Stuart Miles, with viewers raising a record £2.8 million.

Their funds built the Blue Peter Health and Research Centre in Hyderabad, southern India, which has helped to treat and care for close to four million people affected by leprosy, lymphatic filariasis and associated health conditions since 1999.

To celebrate Blue Peter’s 60th birthday, Lepra is marking what was then, one of the show’s most effective appeals, by launching its “£1 from you, we get two” campaign.

Communications officer Fiona Graham, who is based at Middleborough, Colchester, said: “It was such a successful campaign that we’re hoping to raise the same again more than 20 years later.

“The campaign will run between September and October 24, and the first £50,000 we receive will be doubled at no extra cost, meaning donations will go twice as far.

“We’re also encouraging people to wear socks and sandals for the day, donate, and share their photos on social media - we want it to go viral.

“By donating just £3 we can provide a pair of protective sandals to someone affected by leprosy.

“Everything we’re doing is to get back into the consciousness of people in Colchester.

“Although the individuals are overseas, we still live in one world, so we hope they support us in changing lives across the world.”

A doctor examines leprosy bacteria under a microscope

Fighting the shame attached to leprosy continues to be one of Lepra’s biggest battles, both in the western world and those countries where the disease still exists like Bangladesh and Mozambique.

Many people still associate the mildly infectious disease with the Bible where the lepers were shunned.

But biblical leprosy is not the same curable disease being treated today.

Sadly these religious and cultural misunderstandings, which mean children are ostracised from their communities believed to be cursed, still exist, and stop people from seeking treatment.

“There are 185 laws which discriminate people with leprosy across the world,” Fiona explained.

“Although now recently repealed, previous laws meant you could divorce your spouse and in India, you can be kicked off public transport.

“Leprosy colonies also perpetuate the stigma and they still exist.

“People don’t realise there’s been a cure since the 1980s, and those long-standing beliefs have stuck.”

Leprosy typically begins with a patch of discoloured numb skin.

Left untreated this neglected tropical disease leads to further nerve damage and paralysis.

With people unable to feel pain, benign cuts and ulcers we might treat at home, lead to infection, and cause life-altering disability to the hands, feet and also eyes.

Everyday tasks then become impossible which is why early intervention is crucial.

Murbarak who Fiona met while visiting the centre in India

Fiona said: “When I travelled to India, I met a young boy named Murbarak.

“He suffered with misdiagnosis which led to a loss of sensation in his feet and due to an injury, he had a toe amputated.

“Thankfully, he’s now getting the treatment he needs, but this could’ve been avoided if there was stronger health education.”

About 200,000 people get diagnosed each year, but those are just the reported cases.

“Evidence shows there are over three million living undiagnosed and four million living with disabilities,” she said.

“All that’s needed is a six to 12 month course of antibiotics and within 48 hours the disease becomes inactive.

“However, because of poor health education people don’t recognise the symptoms in order to get treatment.

“And although leprosy is one of the oldest recorded diseases, how it’s transmitted is still unknown.”

• However you can help, Lepra want to hear your ideas. For more details, click here. Call the donor support team on 01206 216700 or email donorsupport@lepra.org.uk.

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