Blackpool Tower lights up yellow for Shine

To celebrate our annual Go Yellow for Shine Day on Friday 14th June, Blackpool Tower was illuminated yellow to encourage everyone to 'Go Yellow' to send a positive message. The yellow lights shone brightly to raise awareness of their members who have spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, raising vital funds so that Shine can continue to provide specialist advice and support services to those affected by the conditions. 

We would like to thank Sam’s Bar and Grill for the generosity in sponsoring the famous Blackpool Tower lights to shine yellow. The family-owned restaurant have been members of Shine since their daughter, Olivia Howarth was diagnosed with spina bifida since birth.

Many people may not know what hydrocephalus or spina bifida are – but thanks to our great supporters like the Howarth family and their restaurant, Fat Sam’s Bar and Grill in Preston, we are able to continue to raise awareness and money for Shine. If you would like to donate, please visit their Just Giving Page https://shorturl.at/NrZ25 

The Howarth family say: 

“The reason we have chosen to light up Blackpool Tower is to create more awareness. Our daughter has spina bifida, and in addition to this the charity Shine supports more conditions than just that. We want to make people aware of the support available and encourage people to fundraise in the future. Our daughter Olivia was born with lipomyelomeningocele (a severe form of spina bifida). On Wednesday she had more major spinal surgery and is currently recovering at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool. Shine charity have supported us since the day Olivia was born. And wow - what an amazing job they do! They help so many families and rely on donations to keep the charity going with the amazing work they do. Shine helps us with medical equipment and supplies that local health services struggle to support with.” 

Shine provides specialist support pre-birth and beyond for anyone living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, and to parents, families, carers and professional care staff. Spina bifida literally means ‘split spine’. A fault in the development of the spinal cord and surrounding bones (vertebrae) leaves a gap or split in the spine. The spinal cord does not form properly, and may also be damaged. Hydrocephalus is a build-up of fluid on the brain, can be associated with learning difficulties affecting concentration, reasoning, short-term memory, co-ordination, motivation, organisational skills and language. Physical effects may include visual problems, or early puberty in children. 

For more information please take a look around our website, and to get involved visit www.shinecharity.org.uk/getinvolved.