THE 20th Light Up A Life switch-on for Wirral Hospice St John's takes place tonight.

Ten thousand bulbs will be switched on in memory of loved ones during the Globe-backed ceremony in the hospice gardens at 5.30pm.

Pressing the button will be 11-year-old Ellie Roddick, from Heswall.

Her father Jamie and family friend 'Auntie Kath' spent their final weeks at Wirral Hospice St John's and Ellie will flick the switch for the charity in their memory.

Dad Jamie died from a brain tumour at the hospice in 2006.

He had two brain tumours during his lifetime and despite undergoing treatment, the second tumour proved incurable. He was cared for at the hospice during his final weeks.

'Auntie Kath', a close friend of Ellie's mum also died at the Hospice with a brain tumour in November last year.

She was coincidently cared for in exactly the same room as Ellie's dad, which helped Ellie appreciate and understand the kind of care he would have received when she was a baby.

Ellie, who was just six months old when her father passed away, said: "It's a real privilege to be switching on the Hospice’s lights this year.

"Having seen how Auntie Kath was looked after.

"I know how special the place is and can understand what Light Up A Life means to so many families like mine to help them remember their loved ones.

"Christmas is always hard as I can feel sad thinking about other children spending time with their daddies and I didn't ever get to do that.

"My memories of my dad are just from other people telling me what he was like.

"He sounded like he was lots of fun to be around and liked to help people.

"I hope that I'm like that when I grow up too."

Tonight's switch-on will be followed by a remembrance service at St James' Church in New Brighton on Tuesday, December 6 at 7pm.

The event is free to attend, but places must be reserved in advance.

A book of honour showing names of loved ones will be on display in the hospice chapel from every day in the lead up to Christmas.

Teresa Nightingale, head of fundraising at Wirral Hospice said: "Ellie is such a lovely girl and a real inspiration to other children who have lost a parent.

"Her dad would be very proud of the caring young lady she has become.

"I can only imagine how hard it must be to bring up a baby or young children whilst grieving for the loss of your partner, so my heart goes out to Ellie's mum, Claire Roddick, and all those in similarly heart-breaking situations."

More than 2,000 people attended last year's switch-on, which raised £90,000 for the charity.