The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel, will be lit up in a hue of blue tonight in support of Scotland’s national children’s charity, Children 1st.

Team members at the iconic Edinburgh landmark hotel selected Children 1st as their annual charity of the year and today, the property will turn it’s clock tower blue to raise awareness for the charity’s #createasmile campaign.

The #createasmile campaign aims to send a message of hope that children and families who have suffered abuse or neglect can recover from their experiences and find new reasons to smile. The charity is asking people to go online and create a unique smiling child’s face and share it on social media.

Commenting on the partnership, General Manager Richard Cooke, said:

“We’re thrilled to be supporting Children 1st and their efforts to help children in Scotland. As a family run business, we know how important it is to provide a welcoming,

safe environment for little ones and we have been incredibly impressed with the charity’s efforts to support families in difficult times.

“Our iconic clock tower can be seen for miles across Edinburgh so we hope that by lighting up blue, we will attract attention and raise as much awareness as possible for this worthwhile cause.”

Claire Mackie, community fundraiser at Children 1st, said:

“Children 1st are delighted that The Balmoral has selected us as their charity of the year. We are very grateful for their support, particularly of our #createasmile campaign. Unacceptably there are currently 2,751 children at risk of serious harm or neglect in Scotland. If you agree that this is unacceptable, #createasmile today and send a message that Scotland’s children deserve lives free from abuse and neglect.”

The new partnership between The Balmoral and Children 1st will run for 12 months with a variety of staff activities planned throughout the year to raise much needed funds for the charity.

To sign up and show your support for the #createasmile campaign visit: www.createasmile.org.uk