This year’s Light up a Life service and Christmas light switch on take place on Sunday (11 December) at St. Joseph’s Hospice in Thornton.

Hundreds of local people dedicate a light on the hospice’s Christmas tree every year to celebrate or remember the life of a friend, relative or colleague. Their names are also entered into the hospice’s special Light up a Life dedication book.

The remembrance service will begin at 3.45pm and will be led by Monsignor John Furnival. The St. Nicholas Singers, along with Danielle Thomas, will then lead families in some seasonal carols before the Christmas tree lights are switched-on at the hospice on Ince Road in Thornton.

Memory hearts will also be available at the service to write a personal tribute to hang on the tree.

Dedications for Light up a Life can be made right up to the day itself and over the Christmas period as a meaningful way to remember someone special, to celebrate life or to give thanks.

Joe Lee, from Bootle, has been a volunteer gardener at the hospice for two years and has dedicated a light this year in memory of his wife Thelma, who sadly passed away at the hospice in October, and their son Stephen who died back in 2005.

Joe said: “We were aware of Light up a Life in previous years but have never been before. After my wife passed away, we wanted to do something special to remember Thelma. Lots of our friends and family have donated money for the hospice for the wonderful care she received and we have raised an amazing £1,000 in her memory. I have also arranged a memorial brick for Thelma in the hospice fountain.

“Christmas is a particularly difficult time of year though and so we felt that Light up a Life would be a lovely way to remember Thelma and Stephen and we’re really looking forward to seeing the tree light up in memory of so many loved ones.”

Mike Parr, Chief Executive of St. Joseph’s Hospice, said: “Light up a Life is a wonderful way to give thanks, to celebrate a special event or remember a loved one at Christmas time.

“It is a very festive occasion, not only for those who have a connection to the hospice but for is anyone who would like to make a dedication to someone they love or have loved.”

Dedications can be made by downloading a form here. Forms are also available from Jospice shops and other locations around Merseyside.

The Light up a Life dedication book will be on display in the hospice until February.