Dedicate a light in memory of a loved one at our annual festival of remembrance
Garden House Hospice Care will be putting on a stunning display of lights in our gardens at the end of November. Each light represents someone no longer with us, giving you a dedicated space to remember your loved ones as we approach the festive season.
Our annual ‘Lights of Life’ service will take place on Sunday 30th November from 5pm. It will be hosted by our community team, featuring live music from local singer Roxy Searle and the Hospice’s very own choir, ‘Garden House Chorus’. There will also be readings from staff and local families.
Ally Gentry will be one of those giving a reading. She has attended Lights of Life every year for 14 years since her father, Geoff, died. He received care on the Hospice’s Inpatient Unit, plus ongoing support from their Rehab and Wellbeing team, after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
Ally says:
“We thought we were saying goodbye to dad in those first two weeks on IPU, but we got so much longer. It meant he was able to meet my daughter - his first grandchild, Molly. I brought her to Lights of Life that first year when she was just nine months old. We took a photo in front of the Christmas tree and have continued to do so every year since, with Molly getting bigger and later joined by her brother, Cohen.
“It’s always such a beautiful service. As painful and difficult as it can be, Lights of Life is honestly my favourite event of the year. It’s the start of my Christmas. I don’t feel like I can celebrate Christmas until I have been to the service, and been with my dad.”
Ahead of Lights of Life, our supporters can dedicate a light in one of four areas in the gardens: the woodland walk, the Christmas tree, the orchard or the sundial circle. Names will be printed on special displays which will be visible on the night, as well as on a special dedication page on our website. The gardens will also be open for more intimate visits from Wednesday 3rd to Sunday 7th November, between 5pm and 7pm. The service and garden visits are free, but must be pre-booked due to demand.
For each light dedicated, we are asking for a minimum £5 donation toward our specialist care over the festive season. We recently announced a £750,000 funding shortfall for this year, so every penny raised will make a difference.
Kerry Cunnane is our Legacy & In Memory Manager:
“Times are especially difficult for us at the moment, so donations given in memory through Lights of Life are more important than ever. The money we receive will ensure more people can get the care and dignity they deserve when faced with a life-limiting illness.
“We’ve made a few changes to Lights of Life this year to help with cost-saving, which includes the introduction of dedicating a light instead of a paper star, as well as planting our own Christmas tree. This also helps reduce our impact on the environment, and we can’t wait to see our already beautiful gardens illuminated by dedications.”
To find out more or donate, make a dedication, book the service and/or book a garden visit, head to the links below. Please note dedications must be made before Sunday 23rd November to be printed on display at the service.
