Beacon to light up Wear Red

Sunderland's iconic Beacon of Light will join landmarks across the UK this month in lighting up red in support of Show Racism the Red Card's Wear Red Day 2018. The annual day of action, now in its fourth year, will take place in England and Wales on Friday 19th October and encourages schools, businesses and individuals to wear red and fundraise to support the delivery of anti-racism education for young people and adults throughout the UK. Every penny raised during #WRD18 enables the campaign to work with more young people and adults across the UK to challenge racism in society. Several North East venues including Sunderland City Council buildings, St Mary's Lighthouse (Whitley Bay), The Bowes Museum (Teesdale), St Nicholas' Cathedral, Victoria Tunnel and Rotunda Council Chambers (Newcastle) will also be lit red.

Foundation of Light is a proud supporter of Show Racism the Red Card and its work in educating our young and tackling racism in our communities. We can't wait to light up the skyline red alongside other iconic landmarks and would urge everyone to show racism the red card by supporting this great cause and by proudly wearing red on the 19th October.

Phil King, Beacon of Light General Manager

Show Racism the Red Card Chief Executive, Ged Grebby, added: "Wear Red Day is now an annual fixture in the Show Racism the Red Card calendar and we are asking that where possible public buildings are lit up red on Wear Red Day 2018. "Sunderland AFC’s official charity Foundation of Light are turning the Beacon of Light red and we are asking other football clubs to follow suite. "We are confident that Wear Red Day 2018 will be the biggest show of solidarity ever with our organisation’s anti-racism work." Show Racism the Red Card utilises the high-profile status of football and football players to help tackle racism in society. The majority of the campaign’s output is the delivery of education to young people and adults in their schools, their workplaces and at events held in football stadiums. Across Britain, Show Racism the Red Card delivers training to more than 50,000 individuals per year. In addition to the direct education of young people and adults, Show Racism the Red Card produces resources which help promote a message of understanding. The Beacon of Light, which officially opened to the public in September, houses a 4G football barn capable of hosting 7-a-side and 5-a-side games, six outdoor 5-a-side pitches, a versatile indoor arena which can also host national sporting competitions, exhibitions and events, and a suite of classrooms, offices and informal learning spaces. The Beacon of Light will also be a home for Foundation of Light, generating vital funds which will be reinvested back in to the community through the charity’s award-winning programmes.