Sunderland landmarks shine blue in triubute to NHS and Social care workers

Landmarks across Sunderland are being lit blue in a symbolic show of support for NHS and social care workers.

From dusk yesterday, The National Trust owned Penshaw Monument, and Sunderland City Council’s Northern Spire bridge, Fulwell Mill, the White lighthouse at Seaburn, Keel Square and High Street West, are being lit up with blue lights as a mark of the continuing gratitude of the nation.

Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Graeme Miller, said:

“It’s only right that as a nation we should pay tribute to the NHS and social care workers working tirelessly to save lives and lead the national fightback against this killer pandemic.”

“They’re doing an incredible job under the most challenging of circumstances and we all owe them a huge debt of gratitude.”

“Lighting our landmarks and features is a small but symbolic act of the enormous gratitude the people of Sunderland have for everything they’re doing to protect us and our loved ones.”

Mick Wilkes, National Trust General Manager for Gibside, Washington Old Hall and Penshaw Monument said:

“Penshaw Monument is a familiar and comforting sight to many people in the North East and we are proudly lighting up the monument to show our support and gratitude to the wonderful NHS and frontline staff for all that they are doing for the region in these challenging times.”

The landmarks and features will be lit blue from dusk to dawn except Seaburn lighthouse where the lights switch off at 10.30pm and Northern Spire where the lights switch off at midnight.

Pre-programmed lighting at Penshaw Monument and the city’s other landmarks will continue as the default lighting scheme moves to NHS blue.

The pre-programmed schemes are:
– 30 March to 5 April – Gold – Autism
– 8 April to 14 April – Orange – FND (Functional neurological disorder)
– 24to 25 April – Teal – PMDD (Penshaw only)
– 8 May VE Day
– 12 May – Blue – Year of the Nurse
– 17 May – Blue – Neurofibromatosis
– 19 June – Yellow – St. Benedicts Hospice
– 7 October – Teal – Neuralgia