A number of LANDMARKS across the region are set to be lit up this evening for a very special reason.

Both The Tyne Bridge and Civic Centre in Newcastle are set to be turned blue this evening (Saturday, July 3) ahead of the NHS’s 73rd birthday, while several locations in our region are also set to fly an NHS flag.

The scheme has been designed to be a national campaign to say thank you to the National Health Service for all the work they have done both over the 73 years as well as during the Covid-19 pandemic in particular.

 “The NHS 73rd birthday is a chance to say a big thank-you to our staff, partners, a whole army of volunteers, and local communities for working so hard to deliver the extraordinary Covid-19 vaccination roll-out,” said Richard Barker, NHS England and NHS Improvement’s Regional Director for North East and Yorkshire.

“While marking, over the coming days, all the NHS and its partners have achieved, we’ll also pause, as a simple act of respect, to remember those who, sadly, have lost their lives to Covid.”

“In the North East and Yorkshire I’m delighted to announce that, once again, we have had a strong and enthusiastic response to our call to ‘Light Up Blue’ to help mark the NHS Birthday.

As well as landmarks turning blue, both Prudhoe and Warkworth Castle as well as Belsay Hall in the county will all fly an NHS flag as their tribute to the work carried out by the NHS.

Will you be near any of the locations taking part this evening? If you are, take a photo using the #NHSBirthday hashtag and also send it to us and we could use it in a round-up!