St. Joseph’s Hospice to host annual Light up a Life Christmas service

St. Joseph’s Hospice in Thornton will once again bring the community together with its Light up a Life Christmas light switch-on and remembrance service.

Taking place in the hospice’s beautiful woodland gardens, the Light up a Life event will be held at 4pm on Sunday 8 December and is free to attend.

Light up a Life is a celebration of life and an opportunity to remember loved ones over the festive season, with each light on the Christmas tree dedicated to someone special.

During the event, pupils from the St. Mary’s Prep College choir will sing carols and a short service of remembrance will be led by Bishop Tom Williams and Father John Furnivall. The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mr Mark Blundell, will also attend the service.

Light up a Life 2023 - The Molyneux Family with Carol. Credit: St Joseph's Hospice. — The Molyneux Family with Carol. Credit: St Joseph’s Hospice.

This year, the Molyneux family from Liverpool will be attending Light up a Life to remember their nan, Carol.

Carol was cared for at the hospice for over six months earlier this year and it became a very special place for her husband, Randolph, their son Neil, grandchildren Kieran and Ellie, and their great granddaughter Matilda.

In tribute to Carol, Kieran has been invited to switch on the lights on the hospice’s Light up a Life Christmas tree representing all those being remembered and celebrated this year.

Kieran said:

“St. Joseph’s Hospice has a very special place in all our hearts and this Christmas will be very difficult without Carol with us. As a family we can’t think of a better way of remembering her at Christmas than all coming together for Light up a Life. We will all be there to put a star on the tree and dedicate a light in her memory. It will also be a special time to remember our mum Donna, Carol’s daughter, who passed away in 2016.”

Light up a Life 2023. Credit: St Joseph's Hospice. — Light up a Life 2023. Credit: St Joseph’s Hospice.

Clare Waller, clinical director at St. Joseph’s Hospice, said:

“Light up a Life is a very special event and a wonderful way for local families to come together and remember their loved ones and mark the start of the festive season here at the hospice.

“We are delighted to welcome everyone in to our woodland gardens for the service and to see the Christmas lights being switched on our beautiful Christmas tree. We’d like to say a special thank you to everyone who has dedicated a light and made a donation to the hospice as this support helps to fund the nursing care provided here at the hospice.

“We’d also like to say a very big thank you to Barringtons Funeral Services who have generously supported the hospice by sponsoring this event.”