Light up a Life 2008

 With the haunting sound of piper, Mr Stephen Sumner, playing a soulful lament more than 1,200 people gather to remember loved ones no longer with us during the Light Up A Life services held at Pendleside Hospice. 

Light Up A Life is a special event allowing people the opportunity to celebrate the life of a loved one by the sponsoring of a coloured light.  The lights are first illuminated at special switch-on services and illuminate the outside of the hospice building throughout the dark winter nights over the Christmas period until the beginning of January. 

Everyone celebrating the life of a loved one in this way is entered in a special Book of Remembrance, which is kept on permanent display at the hospice.There is a minimum donation of £5 per light requested and in return donors can receive a special card and a lapel pin badge sponsored by Greenwoods Funeral Services, who have supported Light Up A Life since the beginning seven years ago. 

 Hospice Fundraising Manager, Mrs Kaye Bartle said “Christmas is traditionally a
 time for families and loved ones and it can be especially difficult without that
 special person or persons around that ‘lit up your life’. 

 The lights shine out as a celebration of the life of someone who has been dear
 to us whether family or a close friend and the person being remembered
 doesn’t have to have been cared for by the hospice or have suffered from a life-
 limiting illnesses.

 ”Now in its eighth year, Light Up A Life has gone from strength to strength, 2007
 saw a record breaking £94,000 including Gift Aid raised making Light
 Up A Life the hospice’s biggest annual fundraising event.  Organisers are keen
 to top this figure with this years campaign and have more lights than ever
 shining out. 

 Donations are boosted thanks to the kind support of local businesses and
 organisations who sponsor Light Up A Life.  These include Alderson & Horan Funderal Services who sponsor the service sheet and newspaper advertising, Lancashire County Council, who are responsible for putting up and dismantling the lights, PHL Conference Hire who provide the PA system and staging for the switch-on services and East Lancs Newspapers who offer comprehensive media support. 

The support of these companies mean that the money raised from donations can directly go towards patient care. 

If you would like to celebrate the life of a loved one in this special way then forms are available from all seven hospice shops in the area, hospice reception, or by telephoning the hospice on 01282 440100 from October 2008 onwards.

You may pay by credit card over the telephone or contact us by e-mail fundraising@pendleside .org.uk