‘Light Up a Life’ in Memory of a Loved One

A special service is to be held at Bristol Cathedral on Tuesday 9 December giving family and friends the opportunity to remember their loved ones at Christmas time.

Organised by St Peter s Hospice the ‘Light up a Life service will allow those who come along to reflect and celebrate the lives of someone they may have lost.

A team of nurses and fundraising staff will leave from the hospice carrying the Light and run all the way to Bristol Cathedral where the service will begin on their arrival. The Light and the special Book of Remembrance will be blessed as people light candles and remember those they have lost.

Other Light up a Life services will take place at the Staple Hill Salvation Army on Sunday 7 December, the St Peter s Hospice gardens in Brentry on Saturday 13 December (ticketed) and a service at the Counterslip Baptist Church in Whitchurch on Wednesday 17 December.

The Light up a Life services will feature carols, live music, songs from the St Peter s Hospice choir and readings.

St Peter s Hospice community fundraiser Jo Plummer said: “The weeks before Christmas are a special time for many, but for some people they can also be the hardest. The ‘Light up a Life services are a wonderful way to remember someone and come together with the local community.

“Those who have attended in the past find it a fitting way to remember their loved ones. Many also comment on how comforting they find the services as it is attended by those who have all gone through similar experiences.

“It s that companionship which many find a great help and we re looking forward to some very special events this year. ”

St Peter s Hospice, which is Bristol s only adult hospice, also arranges a Book of Remembrance every year, which is blessed at the Bristol Cathedral service.

For a donation people can arrange for a loved one s name to be inscribed in the special hand-sewn, leather-bound book, which will be available to view after each of the four services and then moved to the hospice at Brentry, where a private viewing can be arranged.

Donations will go towards providing care to patients with life-limiting illnesses, their families and loved ones.

Jo continued: “Donations become even more poignant at this time of year. £54.16 will pay for two hours care for a patient – the time it takes to get someone ready to visit their family at home and £27.08 will pay for one hour of care for a patient on Christmas Day. It s lovely to think that a donation to remember your loved one, will be helping people enjoy this Christmas with their loved ones in the hospice and at home. ”

As Bristol s only adult hospice, St Peter s Hospice cares for more than 2,670 patients each year as well as supporting family members.

All services are provided free of charge but this care costs around £18,630 a day. For around £14,000 of that, the hospice relies on gifts in wills, kind donations and funds generated by the hospice shops.

Details of the services are –

5.45pm  Tuesday 9 December at Bristol Cathedral

4pm Saturday  13 December at the St Peter s Hospice Gardens, Brentry (outdoor service).         There is limited availability for this service so please contact Jo  directly on 01275 391430 to register your place.

6.30pm Wednesday    17 December at Counterslip Baptist Church, Whitchurch

To submit the name of your loved one for the Book of Remembrance visit the St Peter s Hospice website at www.stpetershospice.org

Posted in News