London Bridge lit up to raise awareness for orphaned children

The Queen's guards marched over a London Bridge on Thursday to celebrate the launch of a light installation to raise awareness of the millions of institutionalised, orphaned children around the world.

"Wizarding World Wands" is a public art installation in support of the work of Lumos, a charity founded by "Harry Potter" author J.K Rowling that aims to connect orphaned children within family networks worldwide, reports Efe news.

"An estimated eight million children still live in institutions across the world. De-institutionalization involves strengthening and developing services to prevent children from being separated from families," Lumos said in a statement on its website.

"It involves closing down institutions; including children in society and in their communities; and giving them their right to a family."

"Wizarding World Wands" is set to light up London every evening until November 12.

The wands are 4.5 metres tall and are on the walkway from Millennium Bridge to St Paul's Cathedral.

Lumos is an international organisation founded by Rowling which works to end the harm of institutionalisation and helps 8 million children worldwide regain a family life.