Comfort and Light at Hospice’s ‘Light up a Life’ Celebration

4 December 2025

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A crowd of people beneath a sign stating 'Light up a Life 2025'

On Saturday 29 November 2025, the annual Light up a Life event, in Cambridge, brought several hundred guests to the Arthur Rank Hospice in Shelford Bottom.

The Hospice car park was transformed with beautiful lighting and robins projected onto the building, thanks to the team at Pink Lamp. Robins are often seen as a comforting sign after someone has passed away, symbolising the presence of a loved one and offering reassurance that they are near. Their appearance is thought to bring hope and peace during times of remembrance. This year’s Light up a Life took inspiration from this, as the focus of the service was about coming together, remembering the treasured moments and looking for signs to bring comfort.

As darkness fell, a poignant service offered families, friends, patients, volunteers, colleagues and supporters a heartfelt opportunity to pause and remember loved ones.

Sharon Allen, CEO of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity said:

“When those who have been a special part of our lives have died, we can be comforted by memories and moments as we navigate this new normal without them.

This service honouring their memory, is very special to our community. Offering a chance to remember together the love and warmth we have shared whilst also raising much needed funds for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity – to protect our care and ensure we can continue to be there for those who need us.”

The service was led by the Revd. Kate Young, Chaplain from the Charity’s Chaplaincy team, with staff members and volunteers reading a selection of beautiful readings and poems. A reflection and thanksgiving took place before the lights in the car park were turned off and the trees in the car park – adorned in twinkling lights – each reflecting the loved ones we were remembering, were turned on. The minute’s silence was 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, supporters were also joined by Vocal Remix Choir who performed a stunning rendition of ‘Something in the Heavens’ by Lewis Capaldi and also the City of Cambridge Brass Band who played ‘the Holly and the Ivy’ during the service, along with a number of carols, before and after.

Vocal Remix choir performing at the service

As the service drew to a close, guests were invited into the warm Hospice where they were able to enjoy 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.

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, generous supporters have helped to raise over £46,500 and donations the this campaign are welcome until Monday 5 January 2026 at arhc.org.uk/lual.

Until the twelfth night in January 2026, the lights on the trees 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 everybody who attended, donated and supported including our 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, Tesco Milton and Morrisons Cambourne who provided mince pies free of charge; Vocal Remix Choir, as well as the City of Cambridge Brass Band for their beautiful musical contributions on the evening; all the volunteers who helped make the event possible, special thanks to Chris Banks and Martin Harwood who supported with the lights on the trees in the car park.

Light Up a Life in Wisbech

The Charity will be holding a second Light up a Light service organised by the team at our Alan Hudson Centre, which will take place on Saturday 6 December at 4pm at St Peter’s & St Paul’s Parish Church, Church Terrace, Wisbech PE13 1HP.

Our ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. Our aim being to provide the highest quality care, helping people to make every moment count. You can find out more about how we are funded here: arhc.org.uk/how-we-are-funded.