Published on: 14 June 2023
Landmarks across South Tyneside and Sunderland are to be lit up in red in recognition of the part clinical research makes in healthcare and saving lives.
Friday, June 16, marks #Red4Research Day.
The worldwide campaign aims to show appreciation and support for all those taking part in research.
It acknowledges the team effort behind new treatments, ways of diagnosing patients and ways of working which can help people live better and for longer.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust leads and supports a series of research studies.
These include trials which put medications to the test, use technology such as Artificial Intelligence and gene therapy.
Since the Trust was formed in 2019, more than 15,000 patients have helped support trials, while it has staff whose work is focused on backing research.
As part of Friday’s event, the Trust will be supported by South Tyneside Council, which will be lighting up South Shields Town Hall, and Sunderland City Council, which is lighting landmarks red for the night.
The Beacon of Light in Sunderland is doing the same, with the National Trust lighting up Penshaw Monument.
South Shields Town Hall lit up in red on a previous occasion.
They will join South Tyneside District Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital, which will also turn their lights red for the night.
A photo competition will run for Trust staff, welcoming their own images of the displays, while colleagues will be encouraged to wear something red for the day.
Information stalls will be set up in the restaurants of Sunderland Royal Hospital and South Tyneside District Hospital during lunchtime, sharing achievements and encouraging people to get involved.
Deepali Varma, Director of Research for the Trust, said:
"Red4Research Day gives us the chance to celebrate our achievements and recognise the important part we are playing in improving care and shaping the future.
"Ultimately, this work will make the care we give even better and save lives, helping people live healthier for longer.
"The fact that we are at the centre of many of these studies, which are often world-leading, is something we are hugely proud of.
"We could not do it without the support of our patients and their loved ones and our teams, who strive to make a difference.
“We are grateful to the councils and Foundation of Light for the support in helping us light up landmarks for the night and hope it gets people thinking about how important this work is."
Deepali Varma, Director of Research for South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.
Councillor Ruth Berkley is Lead Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing for South Tyneside Council.
She said:
"Research in the NHS plays a pivotal role in finding new ways to fight disease and improve health and social care.
"In this region we continue to make a significant contribution in our health research, benefitting so many in diagnosis and treatment.
"By lighting up our Town Hall, we are celebrating the tremendous research work that is being done while supporting our NHS colleagues in the 75th anniversary year of this fantastic organisation."
Penshaw Monument will be among the landmarks lit up in red for #Red4Research Day.
Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Healthy City, Councillor Kelly Chequer said:
"We have all benefited and continue to benefit from the work and healthcare of the NHS and alongside the front-line staff there are many more key workers who continue to trial, develop and oversee new medications, diagnosis or treatments.
"Lighting our landmarks red is a demonstration of our thanks and respect to this continuing research and dedication that the NHS provides for everyone."
The list of locations set to be lit in red are Town Hall, South Shields; the Northern Spire Bridge; Hylton Castle, Seaburn Lighthouse; Keel Square; Fulwell Mill and Beacon of Light in Sunderland and Penshaw Monument.
More details about the Trust’s Research work can be found by clicking here.
Further information about Red4Research can be found by clicking here.
