Light up a Life lights switch on: Back in the hospice gardens

On Sunday 11^th December, at 5.30pm, Mr Mike Hall, and his three sons, Josh, Harry and Freddie, switched on our 10,000 glittering lights which now shine out brightly from the trees and buildings in and around the hospice every evening in the run up to, and throughout, Christmas time.

Mike and family dedicated the switch-on to the memory of his wife, and the boys’ mum, Becky Hall, who was cared for at the hospice in 2021. Mike spoke on behalf of them all,

“Becky was a teacher who taught with passion and a huge amount of pride in her career, spanning 25 years, at Vyner Road and Bidston Village Primary Schools.She loved her work, her colleagues and most of all, the hundreds of children who experienced her teaching down the years.

Becky had a love for life and approached everything with an infectious smile and an air of positivity. She is so sadly missed by everyone who knew her. It’s a real privilege for the boys and I to be asked to switch on the Wirral Hospice St John’s Light up a Life lights in Becky’s memory.

She touched so many lives in her 47 years, adored by friends and family, with that special ability to light up a room wherever she went, so it seems especially appropriate and a lovely tribute to be able to switch on the lights for so many other people.

Becky would be so delighted and greatly honoured.”

Light up a Life is a poignant, evocative and inspiring tribute to loved ones who are no longer with us and has become an established part of Wirral life over the past 26 years.

After a break of two years, the hospice  invited our Wirral community (and some came from further afield) into the hospice grounds on the evening of the 11th to observe the annual lights switch-on and commemoration service.

People, individuals and businesses, traditionally sponsor a light in memory of family and friends with all the donations helping to fund the hospice’s beloved medical and nursing services.

Those who sponsor a light have the name of the person(s) they are remembering entered into especially produced books of honour which are available to view online or a personal copy can be pre-ordered or, the names will also be available to view online.

A Light up a Life card with a personalised greeting is sent out to all who request one with their lights sponsorship and there is also an opportunity to buy an attractive silver heart-shaped tree decoration keepsake, with a small star adornment, inscribed with the words, ‘Light up a Life’.

On the evening itself, people started gathering from around 4pm to browse fundraising stalls, have some tea, cake, mince pies and other refreshments, to gather their thoughts and finding a position in readiness for the switch on service.

The hospice choir and the Port Sunlight Lyceum Brass Band combined to bring supporters reflective songs and carols, along with heartfelt readings from the hospice team.

Julia Evans, the hospice’s Fundraising Development Manager said,

“Light up a Life once again brought people together to remember our loved ones and reflect the loss we all feel, especially around Christmas time. Our whole Wirral community is always so generous in supporting the hospice. WE’d really like to Thank Mike and Mike and his family for his heartfelt words before the switch-on and we can’t thank them or any of our thousands of supporters enough as they give their time and make their kind and thoughtful donations for Light up a Life. It really makes a massive contribution to the specialist care the hospice provides to our patients and their families.”

To find out more details, watch our promotional video, or to sponsor a light for Light up a Life and to make a donation online please visit www.wirralhospice.org/lightupalife.

Also please feel free to call our friendly and empathetic fundraising team on 0151 343 0778 if you’d still like to make your dedication and donation over the telephone