Thousands attend 20th Light Up A Life switch-on for Wirral Hospice St John's

Around 3,000 people watched as the lights were turned on during the Globe-backed event, now in its 20th year, in the hospice gardens.

The spectacle has raised around £100,000 for the charity.

Watching Sunday's switch-on. Picture: Geoff Davies

Pressing the button was 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.

Dad Jamie died from a brain tumour at the hospice in 2006. 'Auntie Kath', a close friend of Ellie's mum also died at the Hospice with a brain tumour in November last year.

Special guests on Sunday night included The Sing Me Choir – who were among the first recipients of our Wirral Globe Arts Ambassadors Awards this week.

Led by musical director Billy Hui they sang a selection of carols accompanied by the Brass Band.

Soloist Sarah Lowe gave an emotion-charged performance of One Day I'll Fly Away, which gave the ceremony an added poignancy.

Reverend Deacon Les Arch read out a prayer.

Wirral-based Radio Merseyside presenter Billy Butler, whose brother died at the hospice three years ago, read out a poem by hospice volunteer Bill Collins which praised its staff.

The lights following Sunday's switch-on. Picture: Geoff Davies

Ellie Roddick, who was just six months old when dad Jamie passed away, told the Globe after switch-on: "I felt very happy to turn the lights on.

"It's like jigsaw pieces put together and makes the jigsaw almost complete."

Praising the hospice staff Jamie's sister Sam said: "The hospice is fabulous. You don't know how much you need the service until you need it.

"If you hadn't encountered them, and we were in that position 10 years ago, they are amazing at what they do.

"You only ever hear good stories about them.

"The other thing while here was finding the humour in things. We did laugh a lot.

"You think things are going to be flat, but you have to find the fun in things to get you through the situation. It's what it's all about."

Ellie’s mum Claire added: "They make you feel so special and included in the person’s care in every way.

“They allowed us to care for Jamie the way we wanted to right up until the end.

“It was really special. One of my close friends ‘auntie Kath’ was in the same room as Jamie.

“And when I went back to the room I was emotional at first, but then I thought ‘that room was full of love and laughter.’ “It’s a beautiful place.”

The switch-on will be followed by a remembrance service at St James' Church in New Brighton tomorrow at 7pm.

Praising hospice staff Billy Butler told the Globe: "I lost my brother here three years ago. The staff really did take great care, not just of my brother, but of those coming to visit.

"They always had time to make sure we could get in the servery if we wanted coffee or anything like that.

"The staff gave us encouraging words, it was wonderful."

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

Teresa Nightingale, head of fundraising at Wirral Hospice St John's said: "I want to thank everyone for their support; this campaign is special.

"Raised nearly £100,000 and even though the lights are now on, we still encourage people to make donations throughout December.

"So people can ring us up or visit our website to make a donation in memory of a loved one."

Sing Me Merseyside’s musical director Billy Hui told the Globe: "It's wonderful to be part of Light Up A Life, especially supporting Wirral Hospice St John's as well, which we've done before.

"It's wonderful to perform in front of the two or three thousand visitors who came out to watch the switch-on.

"Quite a lot of the choir, myself included, have had experience of the hospice and have been touched by the wonderful work they do down here.

"That's why it's fantastic to support this wonderful event."