LAST week, St Clare Hospice hosted three special ‘Light up a Life’ memorial services which raised over £20,000 for the local charity. The ceremonies gave families the opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of lost loved ones. 

Sarah Thompson, St Clare Hospice CEO welcomed everyone who went along, saying, “I hope you will take the opportunity to remember the wonderful times you have had with your loved one. And those memories will raise a smile because remembering the happy times is so important on your journey without those you love. Grief is so individual, and we recognise that everyone is different and we are here to support you along the way. Please be kind to yourself, do what feels right for you and your family in the run up to Christmas. There is no right or wrong way of grieving.”

Sarah thanked everyone for supporting St Clare during the year and invited them to place a candle, in memory of their loved one, under a tree in the garden at St Clare, or take it home for their own tree. The marquee was filled with hundreds of silver paper stars, each one with a hand-written personal dedication to lost loved ones. There was also a Book of Remembrance on display, which is now in the hospice Sanctuary room. Before each ceremony, the hospice Patient and Family Support Team ran art workshops for children and young people.

St Clare Hospice supports patients, their families and carers when faced with death and dying, helping people to make the most of every moment, no matter how long they have left to live. Each day the local charity must raise £8,000 to be able to continue to care and last year cared for around 1,400 people.