The UK will turn into a beacon of blue at 20:00 on Thursday 26 March 2020 as major sporting and entertainment venues, national landmarks and historic buildings across the country will be illuminated as a salute to the NHS and the courageous efforts of our everyone involved in our nation’s healthcare system. Places include the Royal Albert Hall, Lincoln Cathedral, Belfast Titanic Signature Building, The National Theatre and Metro Radio in Newcastle. UCan Play is also delighted to report that our partner in Dudley, the newly established Resonance (a higher education institute for the music industry) will also be turning its recently renovated Cable Plaza building blue this evening.

The #lightitblue campaign has been organised by a collective of leaders from the events and entertainment industry to show a simultaneous display of gratitude for those working tirelessly to look after Britons who are ill with COVID-19. All #lightitblue venues will use existing LED technology to create the spontaneous flash of blue on facades and screens to ensure the campaign adheres to the critical message from the British Government for people to stay at home.

Gary White & Chuck Crampton, who co-started the #lightitblue campaign commented:

“The events and entertainment industry finds itself in an unprecedented state of enforced inaction. The best thing we can do – apart from staying at home – is to use our skills and networks to say thank you to everyone who is supporting the NHS and risking their own health to help others during this pandemic.”

Gary continued:

“We also feel a huge sense of responsibility for the mental wellbeing of many people within our industry who, having lost their jobs, are feeling anxious and confused about the future. We believe the #lightitblue campaign, inspired by the existing #clapforourcarers initiative, will galvanize their enthusiasm and pride in a mass gesture of solidarity.”

The campaign also invites Britons to join in at home by creating blue-themed images and videos and sharing them online with #makeitblue and challenging others to follow suit. People can take part while staying safe indoors, by painting their bodies blue, wearing blue accessories or turning their social media backgrounds blue. Music legends Toyah Wilcox and Robert Fripp and all three British Superbike brothers: Andrew, Glenn and Graeme Irwin will be among the celebrities who will be interpreting the challenge from their homes.

Chuck concluded:

“Venues up and down the country have shown great enthusiasm in taking part during Thursday’s round of applause, and we understand some will be continuing their illuminations for days or weeks to come.”

All organisations involved in the #lightitblue campaign are acting on a pro bono basis.