Whose life will you light up? Honour them with a candle, which burns as bright as their memory.

We understand memories can be strongest at Christmas; wishing we could share the season with that special person, just one more time. Light Up a Life is your way of honouring their amazing spirit.

So light a candle in their memory, in North Devon Hospice's virtual field of candles, and let those precious moments shine once more. Visit your candle at any time, and even share it with your friends and family

Your donation with your candle will provide vital care across North Devon, helping more patients remain at home this Christmas, surrounded by their loved ones and home comforts.

For those spending Christmas at the hospice on our Bedded Unit, your donation will mean 24-hour care and pain relief, with our nurses going above and beyond so families can spend precious time together.

Your dedication will light up our virtual field of candles, in the hospice garden, along with hundreds of other flickering flames, each representing someone special being remembered. The collection of candles reminds us we're not alone in missing someone at this time of year.

By making a donation in memory of someone special this Christmas, you’re helping to make the festive period brighter for local people. North Devon Hospice cares for those facing a life-limiting illness like cancer, and wraps an arm around the whole family too. Thanks to your generosity, we can make Christmas special, creating precious moments which will be a shining light in dark times.

For many families in our care, this will be the last one they spend all together. You can make sure that it is filled with care, compassion and treasured memories.

Throughout the festive period, there’ll be a number of Light Up a Life services across North Devon. You can come to remember loved ones, with the comfort of being together at this poignant time of year.

You are welcome to attend the services at:

• Loxhore Chapel - Sunday 24th November, 3.00pm
• Fremington Methodist Church - Sunday 1st December, 6.00pm
• Pip & Jim's, Ilfracombe - Tuesday 3rd December, 7.00pm
• Landkey Church - Wednesday 4th December, 6.00pm
• Grosvenor Church, Barnstaple - Friday 6th December, 7.00pm
• West Buckland Church - Sunday 8th December, 6.00pm
• All Hallows, Woolsery - Tuesday 10th December, 6.30pm

WHY LIGHT UP A LIFE MATTERS...

Your donation will make a difference, to people like the Offield family from Barnstaple. They will be forever grateful for the support they received from North Devon Hospice in the run-up to Christmas. And it’s all thanks to people like you.

GLYN'S STORY:

Christmas was Glyn Offield’s favourite time of year. He was always a loving, kind and funny man... but at Christmas, he shone even brighter.

“It’s safe to say the festive season has never been the same since Dad died, but the memories we have of him from Christmases gone by are so precious.” said Ben Offield, Glyn’s son. “We still remember the jokes he’d make, the traditions we had, and the effort he went to so that we all had a magical time.”

Glyn and his wife, Georgie, had two children, Sarah and Ben. But the family grew so much larger as they fostered children throughout their lives. “So many of the children who lived with us remained part of our family as they grew up, and they’d love to join us for Christmas. It felt like we had dozens in the house! But Dad loved every minute of it.” said Sarah.

Sadly, Glyn was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. “Even during that very tough time, he remained cheerful,” said Georgie. “I remember after his diagnosis, he’d sing ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ in the shower every morning. It was a way of reminding us to make the most of each day and not waste time feeling sad.”

Glyn’s condition deteriorated quickly, and he wanted to spend his final days at North Devon Hospice. Georgie remembers: “We all felt so safe and comfortable, particularly Glyn. He would insist we go home each night to get some sleep in our own beds, but that was only because he had total faith in the hospice nurses, that they would be there for him no matter what.”

She added, “I just remember those final days at the hospice being filled with people and laughter. So many of our foster children, who’d grown up and had their own families, were always popping in. It was never any problem for the hospice team. The more the merrier really! This meant we can now look back with such fond memories.”