Landmarks across North-East to light up green for NSPCC's ‘Walk for Children’ event
Buildings from across the country will take part
A number of famous landmarks across the North-East will light up green on Tuesday 21 December in honour of NSPCC's 'Walk for Children' event.
Also, hundreds of people from across the UK will walk 5k to support and raise money for the children’s charity.
It comes after there have been an increased rate of child abuse and child neglect reported in the UK, creating unsafe environments for children and young people.
Only recently, the tragic deaths of both Star Hobson and Arthur Labinjo-Hughes have raised concerns over the safeguard of vulnerable children, which has led for a national review to be launched into Star's and Arthur's killing.
For that reason, the landmarks will be lit green to offer a beacon of light in their darkest times, and to raise awareness for the charity.
Helen Westerman is from the NSPCC, and she says some children are now bound to be worried.
"Christmas is supposed to be a really happy family time, and for many children living in households where abuse and neglect are taking place, that simply isn't the case", said Helen.
"We know that younger people are contacting us. We've had an increase in contact from under 11's. We also know there has been a big increase in children contacting us about loneliness, just feeling really isolated.
"Undoubtable there are children that are going to be worried on these new restrictions on them and their family, and these children will be concerned that there will be no where to turn when schools are shut or youth services aren't open over Christmas. Childline is there 24/7, including on Christmas Day
"We don't want the public to lose confidence in reporting. We know that it's really important that particularly in the time when we might be going into another lockdown that the eyes and ears of community members are on children and want to keep them safe."