Wirral Hospice St John's Light Up A Life switch-on this weekend

An estimated 10,000 bulbs will be switched on in memory of loved ones during the Globe-backed ceremony in the hospice gardens on Sunday, which starts at 5.30pm.

Pressing the button will be 11-year-old Seren and seven-year-old Estelle Saul, whose mother Susan lost a courageous battle against an aggressive form of cancer.

Each of the lights will have been sponsored by Globe readers in memory of a loved one.

The names of those remembered will feature in books of honour that will be on display in the hospice chapel.

Last year's campaign raised about around £100,000 for hospice running costs.

Switching the lights on will be Seren and Estelle’s way of remembering mum Susan, from Pensby, who was diagnosed in 2010 and given just six months to live.

She died peacefully in October last year surrounded by family, aged just 41.

In a letter sent to hospice supporters for this year's appeal, Susan's husband Marcus said: "Seren and Estelle are very proud to be switching on the lights this year for Wirral Hospice and they will also be lighting their own light in memory of their mum.

“Please support the work of the hospice and remember someone special to you this year.

“I can’t convey in words the extent to which this loss has impacted on us all, as with anyone who has lost a loved one.

“I am, however, comforted in knowing that Susan’s death was peaceful, surrounded by her family and cared for by the hospice staff.”

A Facebook campaign Save Our Sue was launched in 2011 led by husband Marcus. It aimed to raise £45,000 for the treatment not available in this country but which could have saved, or prolonged, her life.

In a funeral message written just weeks before her death Susan thanked friends and family for their support over the years.

She said: "I want to express a real deep heart-felt gratitude for the amount of effort that was fuelled by love and concern to help me to live my life as long as possible and enable me to be as good a mother as I could and see my girls grow.

"The effort from you that was all fuelled by the hope that there would be a cure for me.

"Because of all the support I was given for a precious year and a half in which I was able to raise and get to know my daughters.

"In that time I was able to have precious, special fun times with them and the funding enabled that.

"The love from the fundraising that everyone did and continued to do really filled my heart with hope and I'm eternally grateful for that."

Thousands of forms have made their way to the Fundraising office from generous supporters dedicating lights in memory of loved ones.

Julia Evans, finance administrator at Wirral Hospice said earlier this week: "We have received great support from the Wirral community, including Wirral Globe readers sending in Light Up A Life coupons.

"We have received 120 coupons in two weeks from readers supporting our special event.

"It's not too late to sponsor a light in memory of your loved ones as Wirral Hospice St John's Book of Honour will be re-printed for Christmas Eve to include names received after the cut-off date of November 27".

To support this year’s appeal, call 0151 343 0778 or visit www.wirralhospice.org/light