Arthur Rank Hospice Charity celebrates Light up a Life event

• 5 December 2024

Our first event of Light up a Life 2024 took place on Sunday 1 December, welcoming several hundred people to the home of the Arthur Rank Hospice in Shelford Bottom.

This year, the building was adorned in colour, and as darkness fell, the beautifully moving service allowed family members, friends, patients, volunteers, colleagues and supporters to take time to remember those they love.

The focus of this year’s event was about coming together and remembering the treasured moments we shared with those who have died. For us to acknowledge that remembering can be hard, but with time, we can reflect on those special moments with a smile on our faces. CEO, Sharon Allen OBE, referenced some poignant words in her foreword in this year’s Commemorative Booklet, saying:

“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.”

The service was led by the Hospice’s Chaplaincy team, with staff members and an ambassador reading a selection of beautiful readings and poems. A reflection and thanksgiving took place before the lights of the car park were turned off and, for the first time, the trees of the car park were adorned in twinkling lights – each reflecting the loved ones we were remembering. There was then a minute’s silence – a humbling moment of quiet sadness, but also one of love and gratitude.

Along with the readings and poems, and the gentle words of kindness and support, we were also joined by Vocal Remix Choir who performed a stunning rendition of ‘Songbird’ by Eva Cassidy, and also the Cambridge Citadel of The Salvation Army Band who played Silent Night during the service, along with a number of carols before and after.

As the service ended, guests were invited into the warm Hospice where they we able to have a hot drink and mince pie or biscuit, buy Christmas cards and puddings, and take a look at the hundreds of stars that were hung on a special tree of remembrance.

Until the twelfth night, the lights on the tree will shine out into the darkness, and the stars filled with the names of cherished loved ones will remain inside the hospice for all to see.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity would like to thank: sponsors Redmayne Arnold & Harris and Barr Ellison Law; Blueshed AV who provided the staging, sound and lighting; Pink Lamp who lit the trees and building; Event Sparx for providing the cables for the tree lights; The Co-op stores who provided mince pies free of charge; Tesco Fulborn, for also donating some mince pies, along with tea and coffee; Vocal Remix Choir, as well as the Cambridge Citadel of The Salvation Army Band for their beautiful musical contributions on the evening; all the volunteers who helped make the event possible, particularly Chris Banks and Martin Harwood who also lit a few of the trees in the car park.

Our second wonderful Light up a Life service took place on Sunday 8 December at St Peter and St Paul Parish Church of Wisbech. Family and friends came together to remember their loved ones, and were treated to a stunning performance from Your Choir.

 

 

The Alan Hudson Centre were grateful to Wisbech Funeral Service and James Mooney-Dutton for the continued sponsorship of the event, as well colleagues for reading poems and readings, and all our wonderful volunteers.

 

 

Thank you to everyone who joined us at either of our events, it was wonderful to be able to celebrate at a special event that means so much to so many.

The Light up a Life campaign raises money to help fund vital front-line care for people living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition, and those who need end-of-life care, in Cambridgeshire. So far, supporters have raised over £35,000 for hospice care,  and donations are welcome until Sunday 5 January 2025 at arhc.org.uk/lual.