One of the Granite City’s best-known landmarks will light up in red this weekend to remember the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for their country.
The Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) will be illuminated in crimson from November 11 to 13 to help raise awareness of the annual fundraising campaign by PoppyScotland.
The windows of the building’s tallest structure – the Northern Lights Tower – will shine red to mark Remembrance Day for a third year in a row.
It will join 19 other iconic structures across Scotland in similar lightshows promoting the appeal and the charity, which provides life-changing support to members of the armed forces all year round.
Other buildings being lit up include the Ayr Racecourse, the Balmoral clock tower, Edinburgh Castle, Eilean Donan Castle, Jenners, The Kelpies and St Magnus Cathedral in Orkney.
Gordon Michie, head of fundraising at PoppyScotland said: “We are delighted that the AECC is once again lighting up red for the Scottish Poppy Appeal.
“We hope that when people see it lit up red they will think about ways that they can go the extra mile in their support for this year’s Poppy Appeal.
“Whether it’s putting a little bit more in the poppy yin, or doing something completely different to raise money, every penny helps us to offer life-changing support so we can be there when they call for backup.”
PoppyScotland will use the cash generated by the appeal to help fund employment, housing, mental health, mobility and respite support for armed forces members.
Graeme Cumming, interim managing director at the AECC said: “AECC is a great supporter of PoppyScotland and the life-changing support that they offer to Scotland’s armed forces community.
“This will be the third year that will see the venue’s Northern Lights Tower glow poppy red which we hope will encourage passers by to show their support for this year’s powerful #ExtraMile campaign, and that the reasoning and history behind such an iconic cause will be remembered.
For more information about the charity and the poppy appeal and to find out how you can fundraise, visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/extra-mile