A BORDERS woman has created a region-wide raffle for a cause close to her heart.

Bex Leigh, 21, launched the campaign for the Big Yellow Raffle last month with the aim to raise money for – and awareness of – endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus starts to grow in other places.

As someone who lives with endometriosis, Bex, who owns Bexleigh Beauty in Melrose, was keen to highlight what living with the condition is like.

She has been sharing her own experiences on social media – and also shed light on Endometriosis Awareness Month, which began on Monday, March 1.

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“It’s really time to try and make a bit of a change, it’s already a year since the last awareness month and I just want one year for us to be able to look back and be like this was the year that was a big change,” said Bex.

She added: “It’s a really cruel disease and there’s not enough known about it, and even now I’ll get people saying they can’t imagine how bad your period is but it’s every day.

“My business is one thing that really does keep me going, but I’ll admit it is a huge struggle.

“There’s a lot of days I wish I had a boss to call and be like, ‘not today’, but I don’t have that option so, a lot of the time I just have to get up and get on with it.”

Using an online platform, Bex, with the help of her mum, Katy, launched the raffle last week where people can purchase tickets for £10 (with funds going directly to Endometriosis UK) for a range of prizes provided by local businesses.

On March 31, a live draw will select the prize winners.

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When this newspaper spoke with Bex, she said the raffle had more than 80 prizes on offer – all before tickets had been sold.

And now the Big Yellow Raffle has raised more than £4,000 for Endometriosis UK.

“I’m really surprised at how much it’s taken off, me and my mum were saying this might have to be an annual thing,” said Bex.

“Endometriosis Awareness Month is March every year so I’ll definitely be looking to do something every March.

“There’s a lot of other ideas I had as well, but of course with COVID a lot of them couldn’t go ahead – even sponsored walks and things like that. I’m so glad that this is looking as successful as it is.”

One in 10 people are affected by endometriosis, and to mark this statistic, St Boswells resident Judith Hardie offered to paint 10 yellow stones to be hidden around the Borders on popular walking trails. Anyone who finds a stone is asked to share it on social media, and the lucky person who finds the stone with ‘winner’ on it gets one free raffle ticket.