Each year hundreds of people dedicate a light to loved ones on Nightingale House’s Christmas tree to help raise funds towards providing expert care and support to local people in our community.

This is a special event when the hospice tree is lit for the first time during the Advent Season and those glimmers of light offer remembrance and tribute to those who have played such a special part in our lives. Light Up A Life gives us an opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones in a positive way.

Nightingale House Hospice’s Annual Light Up A Life Service will take on a new look this year, when it goes digital on Sunday, December 6, at 4pm, enabling people to join together virtually to celebrate the lives of loved ones. If you would like to be part of this special Service and remember a loved one, the service will be broadcast live on the hospice website.

There is still time if you would like to be part of this special event. Dedications can be made online by visiting www.nightingalehouse.co.uk/in-memory/light-up-life or by telephoning 01978 314292. There is no minimum donation, all we ask is that you are as generous as possible, so you can keep helping “make every moment count” for patients and families.

Nightingale House would like to thank Williams Financial Planning Ltd for their generous support and sponsorship of this event.

In the first of a series of emotional features, we would like to share why families take part in our Light Up A Life event each year, and pay tribute to the some of those remembered on our Hospice Christmas tree...

The Leader:

Above: Dil with his grandson Oliver.

• My dad passed away in Nightingale House three years ago. He was diagnosed with MND and we were put in touch with Nightingale House so that he could have support from daycare, other facilities and the ward.

I was always scared of Nightingale House, assuming it was a sad and scary place where people went to die but as soon as we walked in we were greeted with a warm smile and I knew it wasn't the place I had thought it was.

It became a place my dad felt safe in and he was cared for with dignity and compassion, a place full of love, care and support. As a family we were supported throughout dad's illness, when he died and after by the family support team. Their support and kindness will always mean the world to me.

Light Up A Life has become a lovely Christmas tradition for our family. The sight of the hospice all lit up with lights representing people who have been at the hospice is so emotional but a wonderful way to celebrate their lives.

My little boy chooses which light is grandad's and it gives us focus during a time that is so hard without dad. I take great pleasure in knowing that every penny we raise for the hospice will be spent helping other patients and their families to receive the wonderful love, care and support that my dad and our family had during our time of need. By Katie

The Leader:

Above: Tom Blears with his wife Amy.

• Our son, Tom was diagnosed with duodenal cancer in 2012, when he was 27 and sadly it had already spread. Tom underwent many operations, chemotherapies and other treatments over the next six years. Forever looking forward and with no "if onlys" he was always grateful to the medical staff, family and friends, and always the one to cheer everyone else up, no matter what he was going through.

In 2018 treatment options ran out but Tom was still enjoying life and married Amy, the love of his life. It was such a happy occasion for everyone and Tom smiled so much his face ached for days. They made the most of their few weeks together.

At the hospice, he was content and happy, one day, his face beaming, he said: "I'm so happy with all my friends and family. I love you all."

That is why we are so grateful to the hospice for allowing so many of his family and friends to be there with him, welcoming us all, day and night, and making his final days happy ones, where he was surrounded by love. The hospice went out of their way to help and support everyone and still continues to do so.

We have always supported the hospice and have a tribute fund in Tom's name. Tom's friends have also taken part in fundraising events, one recently did an epic virtual cycle ride from Land's End to John O'Groats on an exercise bike. It is especially important in such a difficult year for the hospice.

Tom loved Christmas and it's always a difficult time. Although he is in our hearts and thoughts every day, this is a special time to shine a light on his memory. By Eleanor Blears