Local families invited to remember loved ones at Christmas at the Light up a Life Christmas light switch on

St. Joseph’s Hospice in Thornton will hold its annual Light up a Life Christmas light switch on and remembrance service in the grounds of the hospice next month.

This year, Light up a Life will take place at 4pm on Sunday 8th December at St. Joseph’s Hospice, on Ince Road in Thornton, and it is free to attend.

Light up a Life is a celebration of life and an opportunity to remember loved ones over the festive season, with each light on the Christmas tree dedicated to someone special.

During the event, pupils from the St. Mary’s Prep College choir will sing carols and a short service of remembrance will be led by Bishop Tom Williams and Father John Furnivall. The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mr Mark Blundell, will also attend the service.

This year, the Molyneux family from Liverpool will be attending Light up a Life to remember their nan, Carol. Carol was cared for at the hospice for over six months earlier this year and it became a very special place for her husband, Randolph, their son Neil, grandchildren Kieran and Ellie, and their great granddaughter Matilda.

In tribute to Carol, Kieran has been invited to switch on the lights on the hospice’s Light up a Life Christmas tree representing all those being remembered and celebrated this year.

Kieran said: “St. Joseph’s Hospice has a very special place in all our hearts and this Christmas will be very difficult without Carol with us. As a family we can’t think of a better way of remembering her at Christmas than all coming together for Light up a Life. We will all be there to put a star on the tree and dedicate a light in her memory. It will also be a special time to remember our mum Donna, Carol’s daughter, who passed away in 2016.”

Clare Waller, clinical director at St. Joseph’s Hospice, said: “Light up a Life is a very special event and a wonderful way for local families to come together and remember their loved ones and mark the start of the festive season here at the hospice.

“We are delighted to welcome everyone in to our woodland gardens for the service and to see the Christmas lights being switched on our beautiful Christmas tree. We’d like to say a special thank you to everyone who has dedicated a light and made a donation to the hospice as this support helps to fund the nursing care provided here at the hospice.

“We’d also like to say a very big thank you to Barringtons Funeral Services who have generously supported the hospice by sponsoring this event.”

To dedicate a light on this year’s Light up a Life Christmas tree, visit: www.stjhospice.org.uk, call 0151 932 6044 or email: fundraising@stjhospice.org.uk.

About St. Joseph’s Hospice:

St Joseph's Hospice in Thornton, Merseyside, opened its doors 50 years ago in 1974 and has held a special place in the heart of our community ever since.

Today, the hospice offers high-quality, professional nursing care within a peaceful, home from home environment surrounded by 12 acres of beautiful woodland gardens.

The hospice cares for around 200 people ever year from across a diverse geographical area, which includes Sefton, Liverpool and West Lancashire.

The hospice’s nurse-led service is supported by a community-based palliative care consultant, a visiting GP and a local network of specialist clinical support.

As well as caring for patients, the hospice provide a range of support services to care for the needs of families and loved ones.

Why we fundraise:

As a registered charity, St. Joseph’s Hospice doesn’t charge for the care it provides but, instead, relies on our local communities and businesses to support it. This support is vital as it costs over £4 million every year, or £10,000 a day, to keep St. Joseph’s Hospice running.

The hospice is proud to be a Merseyside charity and relies heavily on local people helping as volunteers – working in its shops, maintaining its grounds, helping with fundraising and visiting patients etc. It is currently supported by over 200 committed volunteers but it always needs more.

If you’d like to support the hospice through fundraising or volunteering, please contact 0151 932 6044 or Email: fundraising@stjhospice.org.uk