HUNDREDS REMEMBER LOVED ONES THROUGH HOSPICE'S LIGHT UP A LIFE CAMPAIGN
Local people from across North Devon have been keeping their loved ones memories shining bright with Light Up a Life.
Local people from across North Devon have been keeping their loved ones memories shining bright with Light Up a Life.
While tributes and donations are still coming in, it is hoped this year’s campaign will have raised around £26,000, which will help to fund the vital care and support offered by the hospice to patients and families facing a life-limiting illness.
Supported by the North Devon Gazette, Light Up a Life enables local people to celebrate the memory of someone special by lighting a candle in their memory, making an online dedication in the hospice’s Virtual Glow Garden, and donating to the hospice in their loved one’s memory. It’s a touching way to remember those who are no longer with us at this special time of year while helping to ensure other families experiencing tough times can be wrapped up in care and comfort at Christmas time and beyond.
As part of this year’s Light Up a Life campaign, a series of services were also held across North Devon throughout December to encourage local people to come together with others in the community to mark the memory of those they miss.
Lizzie Hanks, Head of Fundraising at North Devon Hospice, described how special it’s been to see so many people remembering their loved ones through the campaign. “For most of us, Christmas is a time for celebration, love, and memory-making but it can also be a time when we pine for those we miss even more,” said Lizzie. “As such, it’s been truly heartwarming to so many from our community remembering someone they miss through Light Up a Life. Currently, our Virtual Glow Garden is full of beautiful dedications. With every single one of these, a donation has been made to ensure we can continue to care for families who may be spending their last Christmas together. What a difference this will make – thank you.”
Aaron Heighton from James Electrics, who have kindly sponsored this year’s Light Up a Life, said what a privilege it has been to support the campaign. “North Devon Hospice is a charity that’s very close to all of our hearts here at James Electrics, so to be making this special campaign possible again this year is very special for us. The hospice provides exceptional care to so many in our community and we’re incredibly proud to help make that happen. A huge thanks to this wonderful charity for their wonderful work.”
While many have remembered loved ones as part of Light Up a Life in the run-up to Christmas, anyone wanting to make a dedication and donation as we enter the new year can still do so.
“When the hustle and bustle of Christmas is over, this is often the time when we have moments to reflect and perhaps miss those who are no longer with us even more,” added Lizzie. “If you’d like to mark someone’s memory in a truly special way, please do make a dedication in our Virtual Glow Garden and take comfort in knowing that your message and generosity will have made a difference to someone in North Devon at a time when it matters most.”
To make a dedication and donation as part of Light Up a Life, and support patients and families being cared for by North Devon Hospice, visit northdevonhospice.org.uk/light.