Time to show your support for Globe-backed hospice Light Up A Life campaign (From Wirral Globe)

Time to show your support for Globe-backed hospice Light Up A Life campaign

10:41am Thursday 11th October 2012 in News By Craig Manning

THE annual Globe-backed Light Up A Life appeal is launched this week.

Now in its 18th year, the campaign raises much-needed funds for Wirral St John’s hospice.

Thousands of lights strewn from trees in the hospice ground are sponsored in the names of lost loved ones.

The switch-on will take place in the hospice gardens on Sunday, December 2, at 5.30pm.

This is a special event looked forward to by many people who have found comfort in celebrating the lives of people who are special to them.

The names of those honoured are placed in special books which are placed in the hospice chapel and can be viewed from 4pm on the day.

Lesley Woodhead, fundraising manager at the hospice: “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported Light Up A Life over the years.

“We really want people to continue to support the hospice with events like this.

“It can either be done in memory of a loved one or to remember someone who is still with us.”

The lights will remain lit until twelth night in January bringing light and hope to this special corner of the Wirral.

For the first time this year lights can be dedicated on line at www.justgiving.com/Lesley-Woodhead1 Last year, more than one thousand people turned out for the Wirral St John's Hospice Light Up A Life switch-on, raising more than £100,000 for running costs.

Performing the switch-on was Emma Hughes from Wallasey. Her mum, Julie was diagnosed with lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and a tumour of the spine in February last year. She died in St John's Hospice last October, aged 43.

Dad Chris added: "The whole event is an emotional event for everybody, particularly people who've lost loved ones.

"What they're doing here is a wonderful thing. The lights are a way of bringing everyone together.

"It is a way of lifting their spirits and hopes for the future."

Afterwards, Lesley Woodhead, fundraising manager for the hospice said: "It was a fantastic night and we had a great turn-out.

"Emma did a great job too and was very clear. We were fortunate with the weather too.”

The names can be viewed in books will be on display in the hospice chapel between 5-7pm every night until Friday.

Rt Revd Keith Sinclair conducted the remembrance service for the first time. He said: "There can't be more traumatic experiences than losing loved ones, of whatever age.

"As we approach Christmas it is an obvious time for people who have lost loved ones to come together."

For the first time this year lights can be dedicated on line at www.justgiving.com/Lesley-Woodhead1 You can also show your support for the appeal by buying pin badges which are available from the hospice shop.