Purple Power for JIA 2026

We’re excited to let you know that #WearPurpleForJIA will be taking place on Friday 22nd May 2026 – and, following the popularity of the Purple Gunge Challenge last year, we’re bringing it back for more playful, purple fun this year! This vibrant initiative shines a spotlight on the 10,000 children and young people living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in the UK.

This year we are bringing back the popular Purple Gunge Challenge! Supporters can nominate their fellow pupils, teachers, colleagues, or healthcare heroes to take a seat in the infamous Gunge-Seat. The nominee who raises the most donations will be triumphantly drenched in purple slime—a moment guaranteed to be unforgettable. We are so grateful to everyone who encouraged their Schools, Nurseries, Workplaces, Healthcare Teams, and Mums & Dads to take on the Purple Gunge Challenge last year to help us raise over £18,000 to support young people with JIA! 
 
For those that missed out, you’ll be delighted to hear there’s plenty of time – and gunge! – for you to get involved and take the plunge with the gunge this year! 
 
We have another 50 FREE packs of purple gunge to give away and in return we ask for a minimum pledge of £100. Will it be your teachers or your students, your work colleagues or CEO, your family or friends? 

Beyond the Gunge Challenge, there are countless creative ways to get involved. Host a Purple Bake Sale, organise a Purple Crazy Hair Day, or throw a full-blown Purple Party. Whether you’re joining in at school, at work, or within your community, every splash of purple helps raise vital awareness and funds. All proceeds support NRAS’s mission to improve the lives of children with JIA through education, advocacy, and direct support. 

Order your Wear Purple Pack today and start planning your purple-powered event. Don’t forget to share your photos and stories on social media using #WearPurpleForJIA—let’s turn the UK purple for a cause that truly matters. 

For more details, visit the official Wear Purple for JIA page and help transform awareness into meaningful action. Together, we can make a real difference for children living with arthritis.