Campaigner and University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate Kerry Reid has helped to shine a light on the impact of drugs and alcohol on communities and their families, by having the Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel illuminated.
Kerry who graduated from UWS in 2022 arranged for iconic landmarks in Falkirk to be lit up on Monday 22nd June 2026 in honour of Charity Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs and the families they support.
Aligning with Scottish Families Week, the light was a message of hope for families seen and unseen.
Kerry commented: “My degree in Community Education at UWS helped shape my passion for supporting people, communities and creating positive change, and through my own experience, I have seen the importance of the support that Scottish Families provides, not only to individuals but to the families standing beside them.
“I wanted to do something to honour the work the charity does and to recognise all the families who show up every day carrying heavy hearts, often behind closed doors.
“So many families affected by these issues often go unheard because of stigma, fear, or not wanting to talk openly about what they are experiencing. Raising awareness and helping families feel less alone is something that is very important to me.”
Following campaigning, Kerry worked with Scottish Canals to get the world’s one and only rotating boat lift and the two 30 metre tall sculptures illuminated in teal and purple – the brand colours of Scottish Families Affected by Drug & Alcohol.
Find out more about the work the charity do at their website: https://www.sfad.org.uk/