OUR HEROES
NHS honoured as landmarks turn blue tonight to salute doctors and nurses on coronavirus frontline
The UK will turn into a beacon of blue at 8pm tonight as sporting and entertainment venues and landmarks are illuminated - to honour the NHS.
As a salute to the NHS and the courageous efforts of everyone involved in the nation’s healthcare system, places including the Royal Albert Hall and Lincoln Cathedral will turn blue.
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Belfast Titanic Signature Building, The National Theatre and Metro Radio in Newcastle are also among the buildings taking part.
The #lightitblue campaign has been organised by a collective of leaders from the events and entertainment industry to show a simultaneous display of gratitude for those working tirelessly to look after Britons who are ill with COVID-19.
All #lightitblue venues will use existing LED technology to create the spontaneous flash of blue on facades and screens to ensure the campaign adheres to the critical message from the British Government for people to stay at home.
Gary White, who co-started the #lightitblue campaign, said: “The events and entertainment industry finds itself in an unprecedented state of enforced inaction.
“The best thing we can do - apart from staying at home - is to use our skills and networks to say thank you to everyone who is supporting the NHS and risking their own health to help others during this pandemic.
“We also feel a huge sense of responsibility for the mental wellbeing of many people within our industry who, having lost their jobs, are feeling anxious and confused about the future.
“We believe the #lightitblue campaign, inspired by the existing #clapforourcarers initiative, will galvanise their enthusiasm and pride in a mass gesture of solidarity.”
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The campaign also invites Brits to join in at home by creating blue-themed images and videos and sharing them online with #makeitblue, and challenging others to follow suit.
People can take part while staying safe indoors, by painting their bodies blue, wearing blue accessories or turning their social media backgrounds blue.
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Music legends Toyah Wilcox and Robert Fripp and all three British Superbike brothers: Andrew, Glenn and Graeme Irwin will be among the celebrities who will be interpreting the challenge from their homes.
Gary White added: “Venues up and down the country have shown great enthusiasm in taking part during Thursday’s round of applause, and we understand some will be continuing their illuminations for days or weeks to come.”
