Greater Manchester is lit up in memory of loved ones
Thousands of lights are sparkling in Greater Manchester following our Light Up A Life appeal, with each light remembering a loved one who will not be here to celebrate Christmas this year.
Light Up A Life, which is now in its 23rd year, enables people to honour and celebrate the life of someone special either by dedicating a Christmas tree light at Manchester Cathedral or one of our hospice sites. Loved ones are also remembered with photos and messages in dedications in our winter forest online.
Hundreds of people attended Light Up A Life services, which were held at Manchester Cathedral, St Peter’s Church in Hale and our sites in Heald Green and Little Hulton. During the services the lights were turned on and family members shared their stories of the support they received from St Ann’s, with the congregation joining together in remembrance through song and reflection.
I never fail to be moved by the way families and friends celebrate the lives of those being remembered at our Light Up A Life services. The moment of reflection when the lights are turned on is so poignant. Obviously, Christmas can be very difficult if you’ve lost someone and it’s important that the time we spend together at these services offers so much comfort. Once again this year we received dedications and donations both from those whose family member had been cared for at St Ann’s and also people who are becoming part of our hospice family for the first time. I’m always humbled to know that the appeal has so much support from people across Greater Manchester. Eamonn O’Neal, Chief Executive at St Ann’s