Northern Lights Newcastle: Four local charities set to benefit from the popular light trail
Four Newcastle-based charities are set to benefit from this year’s Northern Lights trail.
The organisers behind the popular Northern Lights trail, based in Leazes Park, have revealed that four local charities will benefit from this year’s event.
The Alan Shearer Centre, Newcastle Hospitals Charity, the Newcastle United Foundation and Evry will all benefit when the light trail returns to the city this November.
In 2023, Northern Lights Newcastle demonstrated its commitment to the local community by spearheading a fundraiser to revitalise the children’s playground in Leazes Park.
By working in partnership with Urban Green Newcastle and the park’s 150th birthday, it successfully raised £21,000 with Northern Lights matching all donations made by ticket buyers.
Roxy Robinson, Creative Director of From the Fields, the company behind Northern Lights, has expressed her delight at being able to give back to the local community.
She said: “We are thrilled by the overwhelming response to our return this year. Northern Lights Newcastle is not just about creating a spectacular show, but also about giving back to the community.
“Our partnerships with these amazing charities are a testament to that commitment and we can’t wait to see the joy it brings to families across the city while supporting such meaningful causes.”
Northern Lights Newcastle will benefit the charities in a variety of ways, which are as follows:
The Alan Shearer Centre
The Alan Shearer Centre, part of St Cuthbert’s Care, will be working with Northern Lights Newcastle for the first time this year to present two newly commissioned light art installations funded by the Arts Council England.
These will be specifically designed for adults with complex disabilities, including sensory needs and special educational requirements.
Renowned local artist Stevie Thompson, from South Shields, is developing one of the pieces, with the other being created by Ouseburn’s Multiminded Design.
Both installations will be tested and showcased at the Alan Shearer Centre this October before being featured at Northern Lights Newcastle 2024.
The Centre will also receive tickets to allow its members to visit the light trail and enjoy the festive magic.
Nic Gilbert, Chief Executive of St Cuthbert’s Care, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “We are delighted to be invited to become a charity partner with Northern Lights Newcastle.
“We look forward to combining our fields of expertise to further enhance the sensory experiences and opportunities for people with disabilities at our Alan Shearer Centre.”
Read more: Northern Lights: Times, tickets, and more as the light show returns to Newcastle’s Leazes Park
Newcastle Hospitals Charity
Northern Lights Newcastle is again joining forces with Newcastle Hospitals Charity to build on the success of last year’s partnership.
The collaboration will see more than 50 children and young people at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) create festive-themed artwork, which will be transformed into Cylindrical Beacons of Light along the trail.
The beacons will illuminate the park and create a beautiful and emotional connection between the hospital and the light trail.
Arts Council England funding has been successfully granted towards the creation of both of these installations and will also help provide a musician and composer, who will work with the children creating the designs to also help compose the accompanying soundtrack.
Katie Newell, Arts Programme Manager at Newcastle Hospitals Charity, commented: "We partnered with Northern Lights Newcastle last year, and it was truly magical for young patients to see their light-projection designs displayed at the festival with their loved ones.
“We are excited to partner again in 2024 and give these young artists another opportunity to contribute to such a significant event for the city."
As part of this partnership, ticket buyers can support the project by donating £1, £3, or £5 when purchasing their tickets - with the initiative already raising more than £1,500.
The children who participate in creating the art are also receiving complimentary tickets to visit the trail with their families, offering them a rare and cherished experience outside the hospital.
Northern Lights Newcastle will be collaborating with new charities in 2024, with one of them being the Newcastle United Foundation.
The pair will provide older children who are being supported by the Foundation with a behind-the-scenes look at the event.
These site visits are designed to introduce them to career prospects in event management and production.
It will build on similar initiatives that the Foundation has run with other local landmarks.
Evry
Evry is a programme within Newcastle City Council that brings together partners in the city to create create transformative change with babies, children and young people.
Through this partnership, Northern Lights Newcastle is offering tickets to children in need, young carers, children with special educational needs to ensure more young people can enjoy the magic of the light trail.
A spokesperson for Evry has given an insight into what the partnership means to the organisation.
They said: "Families and young people who attended last year's event through our partnership described it as a magical experience, especially at such a challenging time of year.
“We look forward to working with Northern Lights Newcastle in 2024 to help even more children and families experience this wonderful event.”
Northern Lights Newcastle will return to the city on November 22 and throughout the festive period until December 31.
You can find out more information and book tickets by visiting: https://northernlightsnewcastle.com/.