Why landmarks across Sunderland are being lit red

Sunderland is joining the #WeMakeEvents campaign, an international movement to create awareness for those working in the events industry and raise money to support individuals and their families.

Landmarks including the Penshaw Monument, Northern Spire bridge, Fulwell Mill, the lighthouse at Cliffe Park in Seaburn, Keel Square and High Street West will be lit up red today along with other cultural landmarks across the country and the rest of the world.

The event will begin in New Zealand and travel around the world at 8pm local time.

A single white beam of light will also be projected into the air in 60 locations across the country, symbolising 10,000 potential job losses.

Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Graeme Miller, said: "The Covid-19 pandemic has been devastating for the events industry, which employs around one million people in the UK and contributes billions of pounds each year to the UK economy.

"Because of this, Sunderland City Council is proud to be supporting #WeMakeEvents to help the industry get its voice heard and ultimately get the support it needs to get back up and running when the time comes."

#WeMakeEvents campaign work to highlight the struggles and threats posed to people who work in the events industry and to raise money to give immediate support to those people, their families and industry charities.

The landmarks and features will be lit red from 8pm on Wednesday, September 30.