This year’s Light up a Life service and Christmas light switch on take place this Sunday (10 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 4pm and will be led by Bishop Tom Williams along with fellow members of the clergy and the Mayor of Sefton, Cllr Dave Robinson. Everyone will then sing 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.

Last year, Sheila Stone (pictured below), from Crosby, dedicated lights to her Aunty Joan and Uncle Dave who both died at the hospice in February 2016. She said: “I’ve been coming to Light up a Life since my mum died many years ago. Part of my heart is here because of all the wonderful work they do. I knew Father O’Leary and he was such a wonderful man. St. Joseph’s Hospice is just such a significant part of our local community.”

Joe Lee, from Bootle, has been a volunteer gardener at the hospice for three years and has dedicated a light this year in memory of his wife Thelma, who sadly passed away at the hospice last year, and their son Stephen who died back in 2005. Joe said: “After my wife passed away, we wanted to do something special to remember Thelma. Lots of our friends and family donated money for the hospice for the wonderful care she received and we 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 event and a special way to give thanks, to celebrate life and to remember loved ones 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.

“We are very grateful to the Crosby Soroptomists for volunteering their help at this year’s Light up a Life service and to the Crosby Lions for marshalling the event for us.”

Dedications can be made at the event itself or by downloading a form here. Forms are also available from St. Joseph’s Hospice shops.

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