ST Clare Hospice Thanks the Community for Coming Together in Remembrance at 2025 Light up a Life Services

Local charity St Clare Hospice hosted its 2025 Light up a Life remembrance services across West Essex throughout November and December. Each service offered a space for families and friends to honour loved ones, with names recorded in the Book of Remembrance and messages written on paper stars among twinkling lights. During the ceremonies, candles were lit and music and readings created moments of comfort and reflection for local families.

Leonie Smalling, St Clare Hospice Individual Giving Manager said, “We’re so grateful for the incredible response to our 2025 Light up a Life services. Thanks to the generosity and heartfelt support of our community, we were able to create a truly special space for remembrance and reflection – and raise an amazing £29,500. This could cover 14 days of the hospice’s Patient and Family Support Service, which helps families access financial support and help talk to children about the life-limiting conditions that their mum, dad, nanny or grandad are facing, in language that they understand.

Every star dedicated to a loved one, and every message shared helped us honour those that have died in a special way. A huge thank you to everyone who donated and those that joined us at any of our services that took place across the community.  Your kindness means we can continue providing compassionate care when it’s needed most.

We would also like to thank the venues across West Essex who welcomed us into their churches and halls, and the wonderful volunteers and readers who gave their time and voices to make our services so special. Your support helped us reach even more people and create moments of comfort and connection to grieving families across West Essex and the borders of eastern Hertfordshire.”

If you couldn’t join one of St Clare Hospice’s remembrance services, there’s still time to leave a tribute on their virtual Light up a Life tree: stclarehospice.org.uk/light-up-a-life-remembrance-services.

St Clare Hospice also offers a free GriefLine for anyone struggling with grief and would like someone to talk to (01279 945089), which is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.