People remembered their loved ones at services held in Carlisle.
Part of Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice’s Light up a Light campaign, which has raised thousands of pounds for the organisations.
The annual appeal invites the community to remember a loved one during the festive period for a donation.
This year’s appeal also saw the return of the hospice’s in-person Light up a Life services at its base in Durdar Road, Carlisle, and at Carlisle Cathedral. The services had not been held since 2019 due to the pandemic and bad weather, but successfully went ahead this year and welcomed back supporters of all generations and local dignitaries.
Martha Pardoe, relationship fundraiser at the hospice, said: “Light up a Life is a very special appeal for everyone associated with Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, giving us all the chance to remember someone special and help raise funds so we can continue providing dedicated and compassionate care to local families in the future.
“It was brilliant to see so many of our incredible supporters at the services – something we’ve sorely missed being able to do in the last three years. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported the appeal this year, you’ve made a real difference.”
The service at the hospice featured readings, poems and a special performance from the Border Concert Band, while the hospice’s Christmas lights were officially turned on by Joe Alecock, of Carlisle, who has been supported by Jigsaw for around 16 years.
The cathedral service, held on Friday, December 9, saw children from Warwick Bridge School perform two songs and the Christmas tree lights turned on by Andrea Mortimer, of Penrith, whose son Jacob was cared for by Jigsaw last year.
Jacob was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour when he was just six months old and died a few months later in Jigsaw. Andrea and her family continue to support the charity in a number of ways.
The Light up a Life appeal is still open if anyone would like to donate and dedicate this year. People can choose to remember any one close to their heart, not just people who have been cared for by the charity. If you would like to celebrate the life of a loved one and donate to Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, contact the fundraising team on 01228 810801 or visit the hospice website https://www.edenvalleyhospice.org/support-us/lual-22.
