January 2008 Awareness Days and Weeks in the UK

World Braille Day - Friday 4th January
An annual opportunity for blindness organisations to promote braille literacy, showcase their work and raise public awareness of blindness issues. More info

World Religion Day - Sunday 20th January
The aim of World Religion Day is to foster the establishment of interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasising the common denominators underlying all religions.

Eat a Breakfast, Save a Life - Saturday 26th January
In association with Feed The Children charity. Helping needy children across the world - eat breakfast and organise a breakfast at your club, company, church, school or home. More info

Farmhouse Breakfast Week - Sunday 20th - Saturday 26th January
Encouraging people to get active as part of a healthy lifestyle with the theme 'A Great Start'. More info

Food Allergy and Intolerance Week - Monday 21st - Friday 25th January
A campaign to raise awareness about the many people who suffer from food intolerance to ingredients such as wheat, dairy, eggs, and gluten. More info

Big Garden Birdwatch - Saturday 26th - Sunday 27th January
It's easy to take part in the world's biggest bird survey. Just watch the birds in your garden or local park for an hour and help us learn more about the birds in the UK's gardens. More info

Holocaust Memorial Day - Sunday 27th January
Raising awareness and understanding of the Holocaust and its contemporary relevance to all of society, by reference primarily to the Holocaust but also to other more recent atrocities that raise similar issues. More info

Salt Awareness Week - Monday 28th January - Friday February 3rd
Aims to educate the public on the importance of reducing salt in the diet and how this can be achieved in a practical way. More info

BE LOUD! Week - Monday 28th January - Friday February 3rd
BE LOUD! (formerly known as the Loud Tie campaign) is the Beating Bowel Cancer annual awareness and fundraising campaign, urging the public to be just that! More info

February 2008 Awareness Days and Weeks in the UK

Valentine Appeal - Throughout February
The Valentine Appeal is the British Heart Foundation's (BHF) fundraising campaign aiming to raise £1 million to fund the BHF's vital care work. More info

Stress Down Day - Sunday 3rd February
It’s a day when Samaritans will be raising awareness of the effects of stress in the workplace and encouraging people to take better care of their emotional well-being. More info

National Potato Day - Sunday 3rd February
Discover that there's more to potatoes than just mash and chips as today celebrate's the UK's favourite vegetable More info

WOW - World Orphan Week - Monday 4th - Sunday 10th February
People across the UK from politicians to school kids and grannies to strong men, will be wearing something wacky, extravagant or simply out of the ordinary to support World Orphan Week, SOS Children’s annual fundraise. More info

Bramley Apple Week - Sunday 3rd - Sunday 10th February
Celebrate Bramley Apples with Gorgeous Gastro Pub Classics. More info

British Yorkshire Pudding Day - Sunday 3rd February
Recipes4us.co.uk, one of the UK's largest independent food websites, is launching the first ever British Yorkshire Pudding Day. More info

Contraceptive Awareness Week - Monday 11th - Sunday 17th February
fpa (Family Planning Association) is the UK's leading sexual health charity. Our purpose is to enable people in the UK to make informed choices about sex and to enjoy sexual health. More info

National Chip Week - Monday 11th - Sunday 17th February
Celebrating one of our national treasures - the chip. More info

Gold Heart Day - Thursday 14th February
Get your Gold Heart for a minimum £1 donation and help The Variety Club Children's Charity to assist thousands of sick, disabled and disadvantaged children throughout the U.K. More info

National Impotence Day - Thursday 14th February
Raising awareness of the incidence of impotence and other sexual dysfunction and educate the public on the causes and treatments available. More info

International Childhood Cancer Day - Friday 15th February
The aim of the Day is to help children with cancer get the best possible treatment and care, no matter where they live in the world, by raising both awareness and money. More info

Eating Disorders Awareness Week - Monday 25th February - Sunday 2nd March
Highlighting the views of the young people who are so much at risk from these serious, life threatening conditions through 'beat' - the UK's leading eating disorder charity. More info

Fair Trade Fortnight - Monday 25th February - Sunday 2nd March
An annual campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the FAIRTRADE Mark among consumer. More info

ActionAid 24-hour Tea and Coffee Break Day - Friday 29th February
Be part of ActionAid’s 24 Hour Tea and Coffee Break on Friday 29 February 2008 and help give poor farmers a break – by taking one yourself! More info

March 2008 Awareness Days and Weeks in the UK

National Bed Month - Throughout March
The 19th annual National Bed Month awareness event, organised by The Sleep Council. More info

Self Injury Awareness Day - Saturday 1st March
Raising awareness about self injury/ self harm, and tackling the taboos surrounding the behavour of hurting yourself to cope with stress and upset. More info

The Great Daffodil Appeal - Throughout March
In this month Marie Curie Cancer Care aims to get everyone across UK to give donations for daffodil badges and wear them with dignity. More info

Veggie Month - Throughout March
Every March, Animal Aid concentrates on its annual promotion of vegetarianism, known as Veggie Month. More info

World Book Day - Thursday 6th March
World Book Day has become firmly established as the biggest annual event promoting the enjoyment of books and reading. More info

National Doodle Day - Friday 7th March
National Doodle Day is about having fun while raising funds to help people whose lives are affected by epilepsy and neurofibromatosis. More info

Lavender Week - Monday 3rd - Sunday 9th March
Raising both awareness of the specific concerns faced by younger women diagnosed with breast cancer and funds to enable greater access to Breast Cancer Care's information and support services. More info

No Smoking Day - Wednesday 12th March
Encourages individual quitters to become part of a bigger challenge and a national event. Also to support group quit attempts by stop smoking groups that plan to integrate the challenge theme into their activities. More info

Sport Relief 2008 - Friday 14th - Saturday 16th March
The Sport Relief Weekend will be three days of entertainment, events and energy designed to challenge the entire nation. More info

Hospital Broadcasting Week - Saturday 29th March - Sunday 6th April
A week promoting both Hospital Radio and Television services across the UK. More info

April 2008 Awareness Days and Weeks in the UK

National Pet Month - Saturday 5th April - Monday 5th May
A national month to celebrate pets and encourage people to get involved and raise valuable funds. More info

International Children's Book Day - Wednesday 2nd April
Since 1967, on or around Hans Christian Andersen's birthday, 2 April, International Children's Book Day (ICBD) is celebrated to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children's books. More info

World Health Day - Monday 7th April
World Health Day takes place on 7 April annually and serves to raise awareness of key global public health challenges. World Health Day 2008 will mark the 60th anniversary of WHO. More info

Arthritis Care Awareness Week - Monday 14th - Friday 18th April
UK-wide events as Arthritis Care championing the cause of nine million Britons who live with arthritis. More info

Depression Awareness Week - Monday 14th - Friday 18th April
Depression Awareness Week is a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of depression, and help us raise money to develop and improve the range of services we offer. More info

International Noise Awareness Day - Wednesday 16th April
The League for the Hard of Hearing is once again spearheading a special effort to inform the public of the necessity of creating a quiet home, school and recreational environment. More info

International TV Turnoff Week - Monday 21st - Sunday 27th April
Encouraging children and adults to watch much less television in order to promote healthier lives and communities. More info

National Stop Snoring Week 2008 - Monday 21st - Saturday 26th April
A week to promote public awareness that snoring and sleep apnoea are generally treatable complaints and that help is available. More info

National Walk to Work Day 2008 - Thursday 24th April
Something special's happening on 24 April 2008. We are asking you to leave your car at home, put your feet first, and walk all or part of the way to work. More info

May 2008 Awareness Days and Weeks in the UK

Museums and Galleries Month - Tuesday 1st - Saturday 31st May
Museums and Galleries Month is the UK-wide celebration of museums and galleries which takes place in May. More info

Local and Community History Month - Tuesday 1st - Saturday 31st May
Aims to increase awareness of local history, promote history in general to the local community and encourage all members of the community to participate. More info

National Share-a-Story Month - Tuesday 1st - Saturday 31st May
Bedtime stories, fairy stories, any other story you can think of! .... Everyone loves a story! Throughout May the Federation of Children's Book Groups is celebrating the power of story. More info

World Naked Gardening Day - Saturday 3rd May
Get ready for the Fourth Annual World Naked Gardening Day when people across the globe are encouraged to tend their portion of the world's garden clothed as nature intended. More info

International Dawn Chorus Day - Sunday 4th May
Throughout the UK, people with gardens that attract birds are encouraged to wake up early, just after 4am, and hear the dawn chorus from their bedroom window. More info

World Asthma Day 2008 - Tuesday 6th May
The main aims of World Asthma Day are to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. More info

World Red Cross Red Crescent Day - Thursday 8th May
Celebrated since May 1948 throughout the world on the anniversary of the founder of the Red Cross. More info

Europe Day - Friday 9th May
Europe Day is the occasion for activities and festivities that bring Europe closer to its citizens and peoples of the Union closer to one another. More info

Astronomy Day - Saturday 10th May
On Astronomy Day, thousands of people who have never looked through a telescope will have an opportunity to see first hand what has so many amateur and professional astronomers all excited. More info

Christian Aid Week - Sunday 11th - Saturday 17th May
Christian Aid Week is seven amazing days of fundraising, prayer and action against global poverty. More info

National Breastfeeding Awareness Week - Sunday 11th - Saturday 17th May
National Breastfeeding Awareness Week - co-ordinated by the Department of Health, the Week aims to highlight that breastfeeding is good for the health of mother and baby. More info

World Fair Trade Day - Monday 12th May
A celebration of Fair Trade internationally, with events organised worldwide. More info

International Day of Families - Thursday 15th May
An opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families as basic units of society as well as to promote appropriate action. More info

Fruity Friday - Friday 16th May
Increasing public awareness of the links between diet, nutrition and cancer prevention, and to raise valuable funds for our cancer research and education programmes. More info

National Smile Month 2008 - Sunday 18th May - Tuesday 17th June
National Smile Month 2008 aims to increase public awareness of the benefits of better oral health care. More info

National Allergy Week - Monday 19th - Friday 23rd May
Aimed at raising public and media awareness about the many different allergies that are now becoming increasingly common, from hayfever to allergies to cat hair and providing advice and information to allergy sufferers. More info

Xtraordinary Week - Monday 19th - Friday 23rd May
Xtraordinary Week - a focus week for anybody with an interest in Dyslexia. More info

Walk to School Week - Monday 19th - Friday 23rd May
The Walk to School Campaign asks parents, pupils and teachers to think about their journey to and from school, and the many benefits of making it on foot. More info

National Learning at Work Day - Thursday 22nd May
National Learning at Work Day is an annual awareness campaign, promoting and supporting workplace learning events across country. More info

Silver Surfers' Day - Friday 23rd May
Silver Surfers' Day brings you a series of computer and internet training for older people who want to experience first hand the benefits of being digitally connected. More info

World Turtle Day - Friday 23rd May
Since many people have no idea about the dire state of most turtle populations, this Day was designated to bring attention to conservation issues and to highlight ways individuals can protect these reptiles. More info

Wildlife Week - Saturday 31st May - Saturday 7th June
The Wildlife Trusts are encouraging everyone to 'wade into Wildlife Week' and discover a wealth of wonderous wildlife. More info

June 2008 Awareness Days and Weeks in the UK

Feet First for Animals - Sunday 1st - Monday 30th June
Asks animals lovers everywhere to look at their feet to raise funds and awareness for our worldwide animals welfare projects and campaigns. More info

World Environment Day - Thursday 5th June
Commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. More info

Togs for Dogs Day - Friday 6th June
A unique chance for schools, clubs, groups, companies and organisations to learn more about people with a hearing loss who depend on their dogs, while donating £1 to wear non-uniform, dress-up or dress-down. More info

World Ocean Day - Sunday 8th June
A day to set aside to do something amazing for our seas, shores and wildlife. More info

Diabetes Awareness Week - Sunday 8th - Sunday 14th June
The annual awareness and fundraising week for diabetes. More info

National liftshare Day - Monday 9th June
Promoting car-sharing, both nationally and locally, as a cost effective and environmentally friendly form of transport, which is available to everyone free of charge. More info

Bike Week - Saturday 14th - Sunday 22th June
A nationwide 'celebration of cycling'. More info

National Badger Day - Saturday 14th June
A fundraising day for the Badger Trust who work tirelessly to save badgers. More info

Child Safety Week - Monday 23rd - Monday 29th June
Raising awareness of the causes of childhood accidents and encouraging effective action to reduce the high toll of death and injury. More info

National Insect Week 2008 - Monday 23rd - Monday 29th June
Fun events will be taking place all over the UK - bringing the fascinating world of insects closer to you. More info

Wrong Trousers Day - Friday 27th June
Inspired by the Oscar-winning characters Wallace and Gromit, Wrong Trousers Day is all about paying £1 for the right to look wrong and wearing wrong trousers to help improve the quality of life for children in hospitals and hospices around the UK. More info

July 2008 Awareness Days and Weeks in the UK

Alzheimer's Awareness Week - Sunday 6th - Saturday 12th July
The purpose of the Week is to raise public awareness and understanding about dementia, its causes and the impact that it has on people. More info

National Archaeology Week - Saturday 12th - Sunday 20th July
Discover just how much fun you can have with the past by taking part in National Archaeology Week 2008. More info

National Infertility Day - Saturday 19th July
Saturday 19th July has been chosen for the date of National Infertility Day 2008 in celebration of 30 years of IVF. More info

24/7 - Thursday 24th July
Raising public awareness of the work of Samaritans that goes on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. More info

National Parks' Week - Monday 28th July - Sunday 3rd August
Reminding people that these amazing open air spaces exist and that there's nothing more enjoyable than recharging your batteries by packing up a picnic with friends and family and heading out to one of the National Parks to enjoy some fresh air. More info

August 2008 Awareness Days and Weeks in the UK

World Breastfeeding Week - Friday 1st - Thursday 7th August
World Breastfeeding Week - the greatest outreach vehicle for the breastfeeding movement, being celebrated in over 120 countries. More info

Marine Week - Monday 4th - Sunday 17th August
Celebrating the UK's amazing sea animals and plants throughout August. More info

Playday 2008 - Wednesday 6th August
The annual celebration of the child's right to play. More info

National Allotments Week - Monday 11th - Sunday 17th August
A week to promote awareness and availability of allotments both locally and nationally as well as showing the public and the local authorities the strength of support and interest for the heritage of allotment culture. More info

International Left Handers Day - Wednesday 13th August
Raising awareness of left-handedness and the challenges caused by living in such a right-handed world. More info

European Bat Weekend - Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th August
Bats make up a third of the UK's mammal population - of the 16 species of bat in this country, two are endangered and nine are threatened. More info

National Zoo Awareness Day - Monday 25th August
Organised each year for the last eight years - one of two days on which the Captive Animals' Protection Society highlight the cruelty of the zoo industry. More info

International Day of the Disappeared - Saturday 30th August
This Day was started by the Latin American non-governmental organisation FEDEFAM (Federacion Latinoamericana de Asociaciones de Familiares de Detenidos-Desaparecidos) and is now marked all around the world. More info

September 2008 Awareness Days and Weeks in the UK

Give a Child a Break Week - Monday 1st - Sunday 7th September
Aims to promote the real and lasting benefits of respite care and highlight the number of disadvantaged and vulnerable children in the UK who could be benefiting from such care. More info

Organic Fortnight - Saturday 6th - Sunday 21st September
The Soil Association's celebration of organic food and farming. More info

International Literacy Day - Monday 8th September
Highlighting the fact that 860 million of the world's adults do not know how to read or write (nearly two-thirds of whom are women) and that more than 100 million children lack access to education. More info

Roald Dahl Day - Saturday 13th September
A fantastic opportunity to hold events, read Roald Dahl stories and to celebrate the World's No. 1 Storyteller wherever you are. More info

National Eczema Week - Wednesday 17th - Sunday 21st September
An annual eczema awareness and fundraising event run by the National Eczema Society. More info

Use Your Paths Week - Saturday 20th - Sunday 28th September
The Ramblers' Association's major campaign week spotlights both the importance and value of Britain's intricate web of footpaths. More info

Beachwatch 2008 - Saturday 20th - Sunday 21st September
The flagship event of the Adopt-a-Beach project - a coastal environmental initiative organised by the Marine Conservation Society. More info

British Food Fortnight - Saturday 20th September - Sunday 5th October
The seventh British Food Fortnight is the biggest national celebration of the diverse and delicious range of food that Britain produces. More info

Children's Hospice Week - Saturday 20th - Saturday 27th September
Launched in 1998 to raise public and professional awareness of children with life-limiting conditions and their families, and of the unique service and support that children's hospices provide. More info

International Day of Peace - Sunday 21st September
The General Assembly of the United Nations declared that the Day be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities during the Day. More info

World Alzheimer's Day - Sunday 21st September
A Day on which Alzheimer associations concentrate their efforts on raising awareness about dementia. More info

World Carfree Day - Monday 22nd September
World Carfree Day is an annual celebration of cities and public life, free from the noise, stress and pollution of cars. More info

Seed Gathering Season - Tuesday 23rd September
The Tree Council annual autumn festival makes the most of trees for their seeds, nuts and fruits and autumn colours. More info

World's Biggest Coffee Morning - Friday 26th September
Macmillan Cancer Support are asking people everywhere to join them for a coffee and help raise £5 million for people living with cancer. More info

Lick Child Poverty - Monday 29th September
ActionAid is asking people in the UK to re-live their childhood for a day in a bid to raise as much money as possible to help put an end to child poverty. More info

IFAW Animal Action Week - Monday 29th September - Sunday 5th October
Now in its 16th year IFAW Animal Action Week, which started in the UK, has truly taken on a global scale, reaching many millions of people, so that now it is the largest animal event in the world. More info

October 2008 Awareness Days and Weeks in the UK

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Wednesday 1st - Friday 31st October
Through the month, Breast Cancer Care aims to inform people about breast cancer and teach all women to become breast aware. More info

International Walk to School Month - Wednesday 1st - Friday 31st October
Gives children, parents, school teachers and community leaders an opportunity to be part of a global event as they celebrate the many benefits of walking. More info

The Big Draw - Wednesday 1st - Friday 31st October
The Campaign for Drawing invites everyone to join in - to discover how drawing stimulates observation, problem-solving, invention and enjoyment. More info

World Smile Day - Friday 3rd October
Every year, on the first Friday in October we celebrate Smiley, his message of goodwill, and World Smile Day. More info

Jeans for Genes Day - Friday 3rd October
Everyone across the UK is being urged to make sure you wear your jeans, get 'denimised' and help children suffering from genetic disorders. More info

World Animal Week - Saturday 4th - Friday 10th October
The perfect opportunity for people to come together and raise awareness and funds for animals, as well as promote the work of WSPA and its member societies. More info

National Children's Book Week - Monday 6th - Sunday 12th October
Celebrating the wonderful world of children's books. More info

World Habitat Day - Monday 6th October
Celebrated annually on the first Monday in October it is a Day to reflect on the living conditions of human beings and for actions to be taken to address the shortcomings of these conditions. More info

World Arthritis Day - Sunday 12th October
On World Arthritis Day, people with arthritis from around the world join together to make their voices heard and raise awareness of arthritis. More info

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - Friday 17th October
In 1992, the UN General Assembly proclaimed this day to raise public awareness about the plight of the 1.3 billion people living in absolute poverty and to mobilise action against it. More info

RSPB Feed the Birds Day - Saturday 18th October
With summer nights already forgotten and the clocks going back, October is the perfect time to prepare gardens for the cold months ahead and to start feeding the birds for the winter. More info

United Nations Day - Friday 24th October
Marking the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations on October 24, 1945. More info

National Sleep-In Day - Sunday 26th October
The day the clocks go back and we all get to spend an extra hour in bed: great if it's decent and recent but not if it's lumpy and old! More info

Wear it Pink- Friday 31st October
It's simple - all you have to do is wear something pink for the day and donate £2 to Breast Cancer Campaign. More info

November 2008 Awareness Days and Weeks in the UK

Dyslexia Awareness Week - Monday 3rd - Sunday 9th November
Campaigning for a dyslexia friendly society that will enable all dyslexic people to reach their potential. More info

National Stress Awareness Day - Wednesday 5th November
The purpose of the Day is to educate businesses and individuals about the positive steps they can take to reduce stress - and so achieve benefits including improved productivity and job satisfaction, and reduced sickness absence. More info

National Adoption Week - Monday 10th - Sunday 16th November
Aiming to raise awareness about adoption and recruit adoptive families for the 4,000 children who are currently in care waiting to be adopted. More info

World Diabetes Day - Friday 14th November
Celebrating the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, first conceived the idea which lead to the discovery of insulin in October 1921. More info

World Toilet Day - Wednesday 19th November
The purpose of having this day is to have people in all countries to take action, increase awareness of toilet user's right to a better toilet environment, and to demand for it from toilet owners. More info

World Television Day - Friday 21st November
Celebrated to encourage global exchanges of television programmes, particularly those focusing on peace, security, economic and social development, and the enhancement of cultural exchanges. More info

National Antiques Day - Friday 28th November
Campaigning to publicise the advantages dealers offer to both buyers and sellers of antiques and to introduce newcomers to the world of antiques. More info

December 2008 Awareness Days and Weeks in the UK

World Aids Day - Monday 1st December
Commemorated around the globe - the campaign celebrates progress made in the battle against the epidemic - and brings into focus remaining challenges. More info

International Day of Disabled Persons - Wednesday 3rd December
The annual observance of the Day aims to increase awareness and understanding of disability issues and trends, and to mobilise support for practical action at all levels, by, with and for persons with disabilities. More info

Tree Dressing Day - Friday 5th - Sunday 7th December
Decorate and celebrhttp://www.commonground.org.uk/">More info

Human Rights Day - Wednesday 10th December
Marks the date over fifty years ago when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was proclaimed, with its vision of a world in which all might enjoy rights and freedoms without discrimination. More info

International Mountain Day - Thursday 11th December
A Day for recognition of the vital role that mountains play in our lives, and the responsibility to protect our mountain environments. More info