Twenty Five Years of Light up a Life
Published on: 02/11/2021This year is the 25th anniversary of Light up a Life where the people of Wirral traditionally sponsor a light to remember family and friends who are no longer with us, with all the donations helping to fund the hospice’s cherished medical and nursing services.
So, once again, on Sunday 5th December, Wirral Hospice St John’s will switch on 10,000 beautiful lights to shine out brightly from the trees and buildings in and around the hospice gardens.
Each evening, in the run up to and throughout Christmas time, the lights will shine as a moving, meaningful and uplifting way to commemorate and celebrate the lives of our loved ones who are no longer with us.
To keep everyone safe the hospice has made the difficult decision to cancel the outdoor Light up a Life switch-on service. However, if people would like to visit the lights in a small family group they can book a fifteen minute time slot on one of the evenings following the lights being switched on by visiting www.wirralhospice.org/lightupalife
The hospice has also produced a short inspiring preview film to remind people of the annual Light up a Life commemorations.
This first video is one minute long, featuring families walking through the hospice gardens surrounded by the lights in the trees, with a reflective poem and music capturing the spirit of Light up a Life and the comfort it brings to so many people.
The video is available to view now by visiting www.wirralhospice.org/lightupalife
As in 2020, a specially pre-recorded service will also be available for people to view from the comfort of their own homes, via the hospice’s website, from 6pm on Sunday 6th December.
This will also capture the atmosphere of the lights switch-on, interspersed with reflective songs from our hospice choir, families walking and pausing for thought under the lights, scenes from hospice life as well as heartfelt readings from the hospice team, including some wonderful volunteers.
People who sponsor a light will have the name of the person they are remembering entered into the specially produced books of honour which will be available to view online while a personal copy can also be pre-ordered for viewing at home.
A Light up a Life card with a personalised greeting will be sent out to all who request one and there is also the opportunity to buy a lovely rose gold metallic star tree decoration keepsake inscribed with the words, ‘Light up a Life’.
Julia Evans, the hospice’s Fundraising Development Manager said,
“For the past 25 years Light up a Life has brought people together to remember our loved ones and reflect the loss we all feel, especially around Christmas time. Furthermore, our whole Wirral community, recognising the especially challenging circumstances we’ve all been through, have been so generous in supporting the hospice. Although we can’t host a full outdoor switch on service yet, we’ll look forward to seeing those who can visit for a short walk through the lights this year. We really cannot thank people enough as they continue to make their kind and thoughtful donations for Light up a Life which makes a massive contribution to the specialist care the hospice provides to our patients, their families and friends.”
To sponsor a light for Light up a Life please call 0151 343 0778 or visit www.wirralhospice.org/lightupalife to make a donation online.