Red Lippy Day: time to pucker up to raise money for Dementia UK

Staff and students will be wearing red lipstick on Friday 6 May, to celebrate Red Lippy Day and raise funds for Dementia UK.

Northampton resident Jules Osmany started #redlippyday in 2015 to help raise funds for more specialist dementia nurses, who are supported by Dementia UK. Jules’ mother has advanced vascular dementia and the last time Jules spoke to her – before another stroke resulted in her losing her speech – her mother asked for a red lipstick. Red lipstick was a signature accessory all of her mother’s adult life.

For the last three years Jules has been heart-broken watching her mother live with advanced dementia. “My wonderful glamorous Mum, Gloria, always wore her red lippy and had the most dazzling smile at the school gates. Let’s celebrate the age when all our mums, aunts, and grandmothers wore their red lippy and felt as wonderful as the film stars they emulated in their heyday!” says Jules.

Dr Mairi Watson, Deputy Dean of Northampton Business School, is a friend of Jules and an avid supporter of Dementia UK. She explained in a recent blog: “Helping others, may contribute to a sense of well-being of course, also helps keep you informed about issues of social injustice or need, a key component of what it means to be a Changemaker — a goal at the strategic centre of the University’s purpose.

“Supporting a cause is an important part of life: it allows you to make a difference — small or large — to the people who rely on the activities and investment of the organisation.”

Within the University, the Institute of Health and Wellbeing is undertaking significant research into dementia. The Institute recently won a grant from the Alzheimer’s Society, together with The National Young Onset Dementia Network (NYODN), to fund research into accurately diagnosing and supporting younger people who are living with dementia and their carers. A team from the Institute will be donning their red lippy on Friday to support the campaign.

To join them, just pop on some red lippy, strike a pose, share your picture and tag #redlippyday on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and donate: www.justgiving.com/redlippyday (link expired); or text REDL53 and donate £2, £5, £10, or £20 to 70070.

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Pictured: the Institute of Health and Wellbeing (top) and Marketing and International Relations teams pucker up in advance of #RedLippyDay.