Sussex landmarks to be lit green in support of NSPCC campaign
The i360 tower in Brighton and Lancing College will turn green tonight
Two landmarks in Sussex will shine green tonight (21 December) in support of the NSPCC's 'Here for Children' Christmas campaign.
The British Airways i360 Viewing Tower in Brighton and Lancing College Chapel will light up this evening, the longest night of the year.
Hundreds of people will also be taking part in a 5km walk to support the campaign.
One in five children in the UK have suffered abuse and this Christmas thousands of children will call Childline in London and talk about their fears.
December last year saw Childline deliver a record number of nearly 600 counselling sessions about loneliness for a single month.
In August it was revealed that Sussex Police has recorded a 61% rise in child sexual offences in the five years since 2014/15.
Kate Hershkowitz, the NSPCC’s Supporter Fundraising Manager for the South East said: “Thank you so much to British Airways i360 and Lancing College Chapel for lighting your beautiful buildings NSPCC green for us this year. If you live nearby and haven’t yet signed up for our Walk for Children, there’s still time.
“The festive period can be especially difficult for children who are struggling with their mental health or are in homes that are unsafe. Given the impact of the pandemic, it is no surprise that this year we’ve seen record numbers of children get in touch with us about loneliness.
“Our Childline service will be running every day over the Christmas holidays, and we thank the BA i360 and Lancing College for raising awareness of this.”
A spokesperson from British Airways i360 said: “We’re pleased to support NSPCC’s Walk for Children Christmas campaign by lighting our viewing pod green on December 21, hopefully encouraging conversations and raising awareness of this worthwhile cause.”
A Lancing College spokesperson said: “We are delighted that on 21 December – the longest night of the year – we will be lighting the Chapel green to continue to show our longstanding support for the NSPCC, and to highlight the NSPCC’s ‘Walk for Children’ taking place that night to raise funds to help vulnerable children suffering abuse over the Christmas season.”