Lights lit in memory of loved ones

Hundreds of people gathered at St Catherine’s Hospice to see the lights switched on in the charity’s annual Light Up A Life dedication service.

The lights are now shining out brightly from the grounds of St Catherine’s Park where they will remain throughout the festive season and into the New Year.

Each one is dedicated to the memory of someone special who will be missing from Christmas celebrations this year.

Among those attending the poignant event – one of the longest-standing in the hospice’s 30 year history – were Lisa Malcolm and her partner Simon McConville.

Both Lisa’s mum Judith and Simon’s mum Janet were cared for at St Catherine’s, and they were there to remember them along with Lisa’s father Stuart and her uncle David Winter, as well as Simon’s granddad Paddy.

Lisa, from Penwortham, said: “Both my uncle and my mum were cared for at home by the Clinical Nurse Specialist team, and then my mum also came to day therapy and the in-patient unit where she died. They were cared for so well by St Catherine’s.

“Simon and I have only got together in the last year when we discovered that not only were our mothers both looked after at the hospice, but that they actually stayed in the same room. That shared experience is certainly something which has brought us closer together, we find we talk about it quite a lot.

“Ever since our experiences we have supported St Catherine’s in various ways – taking part in events and raising money and Simon’s sons have taken part in the Santa Dash each year. Light Up A Life is another way we can give something back, but it’s also such a special occasion for us too – it’s an emotional night and it means a lot to us as a family.”

Visitors were able to view their loved one’s name in the special Light Up A Life book and the dedication service included music from Charnock Richard Brass Band and the Company of Voices choir. There was also a moment when the people gathered lit glow sticks together in celebration of those they were remembering.

Cliff Hughes, chairman of the board of trustees at St Catherine’s Hospice, a charity he has been involved with for more 30 years, thanked visitors for sharing the special occasion with St Catherine’s once again.

He said: “Light Up A Life is one of our most meaningful events and has been an important part of our calendar for many, many years.

“It offers the chance for people to come together and share a special moment before the hectic festive season is upon us. We know it means a lot to those people who attend, and we would like to say a big thank you to all those who show their support for St Catherine’s through Light Up A Life.”

Dedications are welcome in memory of anyone, not only those who have experienced the specialised care of St Catherine’s over the past 30 years. They can still be made throughout December even though the switch-on has taken place. All funds raised through dedications are used to support the specialised care the hospice provides.

To make a dedication click here or call the hospice on 01772 629171.

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