Hospiscare’s Light Up a Life services return for another year
Hospiscare’s Light Up a Life event takes place annually in the run up to Christmas, a particularly poignant time of year for many bereaved people. The services offer a time and space apart to remember and honour loved ones who are no longer with us. With a blend of readings, poetry, music and the opportunity to join voices in singing carols, these occasions bring at least as much joy as sadness and are never less than uplifting.
This year’s series of services will culminate at Exeter Cathedral on Sunday, 17 December. Hospiscare’s Karen Turner said: “Everyone is invited to attend any service and to join in remembering their loved one. If they wish, they can make a donation beforehand to place a dedication in the Book of Memories and light a light on the Hospiscare Christmas tree.
“The Memory Book will be available to view at each of the services, and the Christmas tree will be set up on Exeter’s Cathedral Green from mid November, when the lights will be lit at dusk every day until Twelfth Night. Anyone can be remembered in this way - they do not have to have been cared for by our nurses.”
Karen added: “Dedications and donations can be made by phone or by post. Or you can donate and leave a dedication via our website. We will then place a virtual star to shine in a beautiful night sky, and you can email a link to your family and friends so that they can appreciate it, too.” Phone us on 01392 688020 or go to: www.hospiscare.co.uk/lightupalife. Entries for the Book of Memories close on Monday 27th November.
Few people are better placed to appreciate the importance of Hospiscare’s work than nurse Petra Osborne, whose mother was cared for in the hospice. As Petra explains: “As a Hospiscare nurse of many years myself, I have always known that we make a difference to the families we care for, but it was only by experiencing that care myself that I fully appreciated the amazing impact that Hospiscare has on those they look after.
“My Mum Bernie was a strong, independent lady, full of life and love for her family and the young people she worked with as a youth and community worker. Her diagnosis with cancer was devastating to her and us and she struggled to come to terms with it.
“We were so fortunate that my Mum spent her last few weeks at the hospice. It was like she was being cared for by family and it was, simply put, like a little piece of heaven on earth.”
Light Up A Life services
- Wednesday 8 November 7.00pm: Honiton, St Paul’s Church
- Thursday 30 November 7.30pm: Axminster, St Mary the Virgin
- Sunday 3 December 6.00pm: Sidmouth, Parish Church
- Monday 4 December 6.30pm: St Thomas, Methodist Church
- Tuesday 5 December: 7.00pm Okehampton, Fairplace Methodist Church
- Wednesday 6 December 3.00pm: Pinhoe, Hall Church
- Wednesday 6 December 6.00pm: Budleigh Salterton, St Peter’s Church
- Thursday 7 December 7.00pm: Crediton, Parish Church
- Friday 8 December 7.00pm: Tiverton, St Peter’s Church
- Wednesday 13 December 7.00pm: Ottery St Mary, St Mary’s Parish Church
- Sunday 17 December 6.30pm: Exeter Cathedral
Each year, Hospiscare provides free, high-quality care and support for more than 2,500 adults with life-limiting illnesses and their families in Exeter, East and Mid Devon. This year it will cost Hospiscare more than £7m to deliver this care. Less than 20% of this sum comes from the NHS with the remainder being voluntary income. A gift to Hospiscare in your Will would help to ensure the charity’s future for generations to come.
