Sunderland's Northern Spire and Penshaw Monument to be lit in rainbow colours to support coronavirus workers

The Northern Spire Bridge and the National Trust's Penshaw Monument will be lit up in the colours of what has become a national symbol of support for the people on the frontline.

The landmark are also being lit green for carers and other key workers on alternate Thursdays, starting tomorrow, April 30, to coincide with the weekly clap for carers tribute.

They will continue to be lit blue as a symbolic show of support for the NHS every other Thursday.

They will be joined by the Beacon of Light, Fulwell Mill, Keel Square, and the white lighthouse at Seaburn.

Sunderland City Council leader Coun Greame Miller said: "Rainbows have become a widely recognised symbol of hope during the Coronavirus crisis, so we're delighted to be lighting two of our best loved landmarks in the colours of the rainbow to bring cheer at this time of unprecedented uncertainty.

"We'd been lighting our landmarks blue for the last few weeks in tribute to all our fantastic NHS workers risking their lives to lead the national fight back against this killer pandemic. They’re doing an incredible job in the most challenging of circumstances and we all owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

"It's only right that we should extend this show of support to all carers and key workers whose selflessness and dedication to duty is helping us get through this pandemic.

National Trust general manager Mick Wilkes said: "As the owners and carers for Penshaw Monument and woodland, we are delighted to be working together with Sunderland City Council and be participating in the civic thanks to all the collective agencies working to keep us safe at this extremely difficult time. Lighting Penshaw Monument as a beacon of gratitude to add to the ity skyline is a small thanks giving to so many people."Pre-programmed lighting at Penshaw Monument and the city's other landmarks will continue as normal.

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