It has been a feature on 12th May for notable landmarks to be illuminated in blue (the colour designated for ME) in solidarity with all those affected. In 2022 Perth was bathed in blue for the night, 2023 was marked in a similar fashion by landmarks in Glasgow, and last year Inverclyde answered ME Research UK’s call.
International ME Awareness Day 2025 has been marked by his year by the four constituent nations of the UK with Northern Ireland Assembly’s Parliament Buildings, Belfast City Hall, Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Cardiff Castle, Edinburgh, Perth, and Aberdeen Council’s HQ illuminated in blue in honour of those affected by ME and to raise awareness of the disease.by turning iconic structures blue in honour of those affected by ME.
Thanks to Mayor Councillor Kath McCartney and Gateshead Council the Gateshead Millennium Bridge was illuminated in blue to mark 12th May.
Since its construction the bridge which links Gateshead’s arts quarter on the south bank and Newcastle’s quayside district has become an iconic structure. The bridge stretches 126 metres across the River Tyne and is both a pedestrian and cyclist tilt bridge. The Stirling Prize winning structure was opened for public use in June 2001 and is sometimes affectionately known as the ‘Blinking Eye Bridge’ or the ‘Winking Eye Bridge’ due to its shape and innovative tilting method. The very top of the arch stands 50 metres above the River Tyne when in its normal state. It featured on a 1st class Royal Mail stamp in 2000 and represented England in a series of £1 coins issued by the Royal Mint in 2007.
