Three local landmarks are being lit up in green this December as part of a North West scheme to remind people that Samaritans are there to support people 24/7 throughout the festive period.
On the evening of Friday 23 December, Blackpool Tower, the Ashton Memorial in Lancaster and The Sir John Barrow monument on Hoad Hill in Ulverston will all turn green to raise awareness of the work of the Samaritans in the North West. Other landmarks that will be lit up for the Samaritans in the North West that night will be Liverpool Town Hall, St Michaels Church, Macclesfield and The Tower of Refuge and the Ramsey Swing Bridge, Isle of Man.
The Ashton Memorial will continue to be lit during the week between Christmas and New Year and Angel Square in Manchester and The Pyramid in Stockport will also be lit from the 19th December until 23 December, meaning that on 23 December, all the buildings involved across the North West will be lit simultaneously.
Jenny Dighton, Director of Lancaster and District Samaritans said: “We know that for all sorts of reasons, the festive period can be one of the most difficult times of year for many people. People may be worried about money, under great pressure, missing someone they’ve lost or feeling lonely or depressed. Lighting up these iconic buildings is a visual reminder to people across the North West that around the country Samaritans volunteers are available any time, day or night, including all over the holidays, for anyone who is finding life difficult or needs someone to talk to.”
“We’re very grateful to Brent Lees of BCL Lighting Design which came up with the idea of lighting three landmarks around Morecambe Bay, as well as to Williamson Park, Merlin Entertainments and Ulverston Town Council who have made this combined effort possible.”
Brent Lees of BCL Lighting Design, responsible for the lighting of the Ashton Memorial said: “We regularly light the Ashton Memorial in Lancaster for charities. When we were approached by Lancaster and District Samaritans to light up the memorial over Christmas, we thought it would be an opportunity to get other North West landmarks involved. All three of these buildings are visible for miles around the North West coastline and it’s great that they will be beacons of light in the darkness – rather like the Samaritans can be for those in need.”
The lighting of Sir John Barrow monument is provided by Marl of Ulverston.
Anyone in distress can talk to Samaritans any time they like, in their own way and off the record, about whatever is getting to them. To contact Samaritans you can call for free on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org round the clock, every single day of the year.