Mid Ulster civic properties to shine a light on health awareness campaigns
A number of iconic civic properties throughout the Mid Ulster district will be lit up in various colours on designated days in the days and weeks to come to raise awareness of memorial days and health awareness campaigns.
The Burnavon Theatre, Cookstown; Hill of The O’Neill and Ranfurly House, Dungannon; and The Bridewell, Magherafelt, will be lit up in various colours on designated days in the days and weeks to come, to raise awareness of memorial days and campaigns.
The landmark Mid Ulster District Council properties will be lit up in purple on January 27, to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, at the request of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
The civic buildings will also be lit up in red on February 22, to mark World Encephalitis Day.
Head of Strategic Services and Management, Joseph McGuckin explained at last Thursday’s Policy & Resources committee meeting of the Council that a last-minute request had also been received, for the properties to be illuminated in purple on February 9, to raise awareness of Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month on February 9.
The recommendation to approve the illumination of the three Council properties for the designated charities mentioned above was proposed by Council Chair, Councillor Frances Burton (Democratic Unionist Party, Dungannon DEA), and seconded by committee deputy chair, Councillor Nuala McLernon (Sinn Féin, Torrent DEA).
Councillor McLernon explained that the illumination request for World Encephalitis International Day meant a lot to her.
“My own nephew took encephalitis when he was three years of age, and now he suffers from Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome [a severe form of epilepsy].
“I think it shows the importance of the illumination of the Council buildings in raising awareness, especially when it comes to a serious virus like encephalitis, which has a serious neurological disorder in the aftermath.”
Committee chair, Councillor Eva Cahoon (Democratic Unionist Party, Cookstown DEA) concurred with Councillor McLernon, saying: “Thank you Councillor McLernon for sharing that.
“I know the illumination of the properties for illnesses and charities raising awareness, it makes a big difference, especially to young people [as it lets them] know they’re not the only ones going through something, so it definitely is very worthwhile.”