World Leprosy Day is one of the awareness days brands use to get on radio and TV. Relations Group has run 2 broadcast PR campaigns for it, for Lepra and St Francis Leprosy Guild. The coverage ran to 23 broadcast items, heard by a combined audience of 6.5 million. Coverage included Sky News Radio, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Sheffield, BBC Radio Shropshire and more. Every campaign met or beat its coverage budget.
23Items of coverage
6.5 millionCombined reach
3h 32mTime on air
23Distinct outlets
Coverage highlights
Sky News RadioNational news network
BBC Radio ScotlandBBC radio
BBC Radio SheffieldBBC radio
BBC Radio ShropshireBBC radio
TalkTVTV
BBC Radio LeicesterBBC radio
Listen
TalkTV · 16m 02s
BBC Radio Leicester · 5m 25s
0:00 / 5m 25s
The campaigns
St Francis Leprosy Guild, World Leprosy Day
The aim
St Francis Leprosy Guild wanted to increase awareness of the Guild and its work, and show that leprosy is not a disease of the past.
The message
Leprosy is no longer prevalent in the UK but still affects millions worldwide and is linked to poverty. The Guild relies on donations to continue its work finding and treating new cases.
The angle
Many in the UK believe leprosy has been eradicated, yet it still occurs in 120 countries with more than 200,000 new cases every year. It is curable and early treatment prevents disability, but people living with it still face stigma and discrimination.
On air
A tropical disease nurse and lecturer who is a trustee of the charity, and a representative of the charity
The result
8 items of coverage reaching 2.8 million, including TalkTV, BBC Radio Leicester.
Lepra wanted to raise awareness of the charity and its work, educate people that leprosy still exists, and encourage donations.
The message
Leprosy is completely curable if treated early, yet stigma and lack of awareness mean many people are diagnosed late and left with life changing disabilities.
The angle
Ahead of World Leprosy Day, new research showed 40% of Brits are unaware millions are still affected. Each day 600 people are diagnosed, over 50 of them children, and only 27% in the UK know it is curable.
On air
A novelist who is an ambassador for the charity
The result
15 items of coverage reaching 3.7 million, including Sky News Radio, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Sheffield, BBC Radio Shropshire.
World Leprosy Day is held on the last Sunday in January. It was started in 1954 by the French humanitarian Raoul Follereau, with the date chosen as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. It raises awareness of leprosy and calls for an end to the stigma faced by people affected by it. For brands and charities with something useful to say, it gives radio and TV producers a timely reason to book an interview.
Planning World Leprosy Day for 2027?
World Leprosy Day next falls on Sunday 31 January 2027. Talk to the team about a broadcast PR campaign that gets your spokesperson on radio and TV.
