A RYEDALE-based charity turned the world red when it held its fourth annual global awareness day.

Niagara Falls, Blackpool Tower, Trafalgar Square, Sydney Town Hall and many other landmarks across the world came out in support of World Encephalitis Day last month.

Support also came from Kevin Hollinrake, the MP for Thirsk and Malton, Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington and Charlotte Leeming, the BBC Look North presenter, alongside countless others on social media.

The Encephalitis Society, based in Castlegate, Malton, estimated it has reached tens of millions of people during the campaign through global news coverage and social media.

Dr Ava Easton, the chief executive of The Encephalitis Society, said: “We launched World Encephalitis Day four years ago with two main aims.

“Firstly, we wanted to acknowledge the experiences of survivors and family members who experience this devastating neurological condition and, secondly, to raise much needed awareness about encephalitis among the general public.

“Early estimates suggest this year’s campaign may have reached as many as 50 million people which is amazing for a charity of our size.

“I am really proud of the hard work that the team and our supporters have put into this year’s World Encephalitis Day and delighted by the generosity of the operators of so many world famous landmarks – it really was a special day.”