Landmarks in Sunderland and across the UK shone green on the longest night of the year in support of the NSPCC and its Childline service, which is supporting children across the country this Christmas.

Buildings and landmarks lit up across Wearside included Penshaw Monument, the North Spire Bridge, Seaburn Lighthouse, Hylton Castle and the Fulwell Mill. 

Elsewhere in the North, Newcastle’s Tyne and Millennium Bridge, Blackpool Tower, Liverpool World Museum and Mersey Gateway, and Cumbria’s Sir John Barrow Monument also lit up to highlight the work of Childline and the help it provides young people in their darkest hours. 

The Northern Echo: Hylton Castle

Further afield, the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland, St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall, London’s Alexandra Palace, Oxford Castle and Prison, Enniskillen Castle in Northern Ireland and Newport Civic Centre in Wales also lit up to highlight the work of the children’s charity and the help it provides young people in their darkest hours.

Also, on December 22, people across the country took part in the NSPCC’s Walk for Children – a 5k fundraiser.

Childline counsellors are on hand around the clock to talk to young people throughout the festive period, including Christmas Day.

The Northern Echo: Penshaw Monument

With schools closing their doors and children having reduced contact with wider support networks over the festive season, many vulnerable children face increased risks at home.

For those children and young people for whom Christmas means abuse, Childline is a lifeline.

Last year, the service delivered 5,501 counselling sessions during the 12 days of Christmas (December 24 to January 4) - averaging out at around 450 per day – with volunteers and staff working right through the festive holiday.

More than 1,000 were high-risk counselling sessions, with 64% of high-risk calls and web chats during that period coming in after dark. 

The Northern Echo: North Spire Bridge

Katy Scott, NSPCC fundraising manager for the region, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make these brilliant light-ups happen at what can be an incredibly difficult time of year for families, children and young people.

“Our Childline service is expecting to be contacted by a child every 45 seconds this Christmas, and while it’s free for them to contact the service, every counselling session costs the charity around £4. 

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“Not only do the illuminated buildings provide a striking reminder that Childline is a beacon of light for young people in their darkest hours, everyone fundraising with a Walk for Children is making a huge difference and ensuring we can be there for children whenever they need us.”

Councillor Linda Williams, cabinet member for Children, Learning and Skills at Sunderland City Council, said: “We're proud to be able to shine a light on the NSPCC's Childline services by illuminating some of our iconic landmarks on Wearside. 

“Many children and young people across Sunderland and the region will need support this Christmas, and Childline will be there around the clock throughout the festive period to help them.”