Lerwick Port Authority sponsors CLAN Cancer Support fundraiser
A striking new lighthouse sculpture has been installed today at Victoria Pier in the Town Centre as part of interactive sculpture trail organised by leading cancer support charity, CLAN.
The trail officially goes live on Monday 9 August, featuring 50 lighthouses, individually designed by talented artists from across the country, to shine a spotlight across the Northern Isles and North-east Scotland.
Calum Grains, Chief Executive of Lerwick Port Authority, said: “We are proud to be a lighthouse sponsor for the ‘Light the North’ project, helping to raise funds for CLAN Cancer Support. CLAN is a vital link for Shetland, providing much support for islanders during their treatment. We would encourage as many as possible to visit the sculptures and look out for other lighthouses when they are visiting Orkney and the Scottish mainland.”
CLAN’s chosen event partner, Wild in Art, have delivered a series of similar high profile art trails all over the UK, including Wild Dolphins and Oor Wullie Bucket Trail. The lighthouse sculptures represent a safe haven, a beacon in a storm, navigation through troubled waters – all very much aligned with CLAN’s aims.
With the trail continuing to 17 October, in Shetland there are three large lighthouses and eight ‘little’ lights, in Lerwick, Sumburgh and Scalloway.
“Light Stitch” – the detailed, eye-catching design selected by the Port Authority, was created by Leah Pendleton, who took inspiration from traditional Fair Isle patterns and Shetland flag colours to create a knitted-effect lighthouse.
Running alongside the campaign is a ‘Little Lights’ educational project which the Port Authority is supporting in partnership with Bell’s Brae Primary School.
All 50, 2.5-metre tall lighthouses and 90 little lighthouse sculptures will return to Aberdeen for a final farewell to view them all together and meet artists involved. They will then be auctioned in November 2021 to raise funds for CLAN.
The accompanying ‘Light the North’ trail app will be available for download from the App Store today (Friday 6 August 2021) – with which users can claim rewards for visiting each lighthouse. The Authority is encouraging adults to tag #lerwickharbour #lightstitch in their photos to be in with a chance to win a giveaway. Children can claim a reward by completing a quiz sheet from the Authority and created by Bell’s Brae Primary School pupils.
Since 1983, Clan has supported anyone affected by cancer, providing emotional and practical support to ensure that their well-being needs are being taken care of at all stages of the cancer journey.
