St Luke's Hospice inviting people to 'Light up a Life'

St Luke's Hospice in Winsford is inviting the public to remember and celebrate the lives of lost loved ones this winter.

A special 'Light up a Life' outdoor service, where members of the community can dedicate a light on the hospice's huge Christmas tree, is taking place on Sunday, December 1.

And one family which will be attending, is the Suckling family, who sadly lost mum Janette, aged 54, at the hospice last year.

Janette's four children, Natalie, aged 26, Niamh, aged 20, 15-year-old Joseph and 11-year-old Emily, will be joining dad Andrew in dedicating a light to her at the service.

Andrew said: "It’s a lovely way to remember Nette. She lived to be a mum. She had a huge heart and she was the best mum ever. We miss her every day.

"It’s a really peaceful and lovely evening – from the nurses handing out candles, to the choir, the readings and carols.

"It feels like you’re part of the St Luke’s family. You’re sharing the service with the people who looked after your loved one and that’s very comforting.

"It’s very personal and you can feel at ease with your grief because you are all there for the same purpose."

Last year's Light up a Life service at the hospice (Image: St Luke's)

Andrew added the care Janette, and the whole family, received and continue to receive through St Luke’s Family Support Team has been 'amazing'.

He said: "At St Luke’s everybody has time for you, nothing is too much trouble. The nurses are there for the patients, but they are there for you too.

"You’re in the worst position of your life and you don’t even know it, because you are just comforted and assured by what’s going on around you."

The Light up a Life service will be held in the hospice grounds off Queensway at 4.30pm on December 1.

The service, which lasts around half an hour, includes readings, poems and music, as well as some quiet time for reflection.

It is open to anyone who has lost a loved one, not just those who have been cared for by the hospice.

Director of care Kate Estcourt, centre, with nurses Rachel Norrey, left, and Vaughan Edge, right (Image: St Luke's) Kate Estcourt, director of care at St Luke's Hospice, said: “There is something so special in being able to come together as a community to remember those we have lost.

"We know that Christmas can be difficult as we recall happy times spent with loved ones who are no longer with us, and we hope our Light up a Life service offers some comfort.

"It really is so moving to know that every light that shines on our Christmas tree is dedicated in memory of a loved one, so many of who we were privileged to care for.

"Even though they are no longer with us, their memory still shines bright."

Light up a Life is St Luke’s most important annual event and helps to raise vital funds to enable the hospice to continue providing care and support to local people and their families.

Kate added: “By dedicating a light, not only will you be remembering a loved one, but also helping to raise funds for the hospice.

"As a small charity, only 14 per cent of our funds come from the government, therefore your kind donation really will make a difference, helping us to reach out to more local people who need us in the future and ensuring other families can enjoy precious time together."

This year’s appeal and service is once again kindly supported by Birches Crematorium and Remembrance Park near Northwich.

For more information about this year’s ‘Light up a Life’ service and to dedicate a light in memory of a loved one, please visit slhospice.co.uk/donate/light-up-a-life/.