Mum Ellie to switch on our thirtieth anniversary lights for Light up a Life

Light up a Life

On Sunday 6th December, Wirral Hospice St John’s will welcome people from our Wirral community, alongside family and friends, into the hospice grounds for the annual Light up a Life lights switch-on service.

It’s the thirtieth year since the Light up a Life lights were first beamed around the hospice with the annual commemorations now becoming an established and much loved tradition.

People will start arriving from around 4pm to browse fundraising stalls, have some tea, coffee, cake and other refreshments, and to find a position in readiness for the switch on service at 5.30pm.

This year, Ellie McLoughlin-Roche, will switch on the 10,000 sparkling lights which will then shine out from the trees surrounding the hospice every evening in the run up to, and throughout, Christmas time.

Ellie with Tighearnán

Ellie is dedicating the lights switch on to the memory of her husband, Tighearnán, who was known as Tig, pronounced ‘T’, who was cared for and supported at the hospice until February this year, when he died aged only twenty nine.

Ellie spoke on behalf of the whole family and Tig’s many friends,

“In January this year we met Dr Rachel at the hospice and immediately felt in safe hands. She was so empathetic and kind. She really listened to Tighearnán and worked with us as a family to figure out the best approach to his stage 4 bowel cancer.

By 16th January, our daughter Ailbhe’s first birthday, Tighearnán’s pain was such that he was admitted to the hospice inpatients ward. He stabilised for a while and was determined that he would help to organise an event to raise funds for the hospice.

Tighearnán with Baby Ailbhe

Tighearnán sadly died before the rugby match he had helped to plan took place at Birkenhead Park Rugby Club. It became the focus for a whole weekend celebrating his life.

The weekend itself, other in memory donations and further strenuous challenges undertaken by family and friends, have raised over £58,000 for the hospice. Tighearnán would have been so delighted.

Now, being asked to switch on the lights for such a wonderful place at the heart of our community is such a tremendous honour for our whole family.

Our thoughts will also be with everyone else who supports Light up a Life in memory of their loved ones.”

Many individuals and families support Light up Life by sponsoring a light in memory of family, friends and colleagues.

A Light up 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 tree decoration keepsake inscribed with the words, Light up a Life.

People also take a little time to gather their personal thoughts as they visit specially produced books of honour containing the names of their loved ones who are no longer with us. All the names of those loved ones being remembered are also available to view online.

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

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

“We are so grateful to Ellie for agreeing to switch on our lights, in memory of Tig.

For the past 30 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.

So many people take so much comfort from the lights and it’s our privilege to welcome and thank them all for their kind sponsorship.

They help the hospice to make a real difference in the care of our patients and their families.

We really cannot thank everyone enough as they continue to make their kind and thoughtful donations for Light up a Life, all of which makes a massive contribution to the specialist care the hospice provides to our patients, their families and friends.”

The hospice suggests a kind donation from £5 per light. Local businesses are also invited to support Light up Life, for a kind donation, which usually ranges from £50 up to £500, and are credited in the Light up a Life lights switch on event programme and in a special business book of honour.

All donations help to fund the hospice’s specialist medical, nursing and family care services.

To sponsor a light for Light up a Life please call 0151 343 0778 or to make a donation online please visit, wirralhospice.org/lightupalife