LOROS is once again inviting people to remember a loved one at Christmas during this year’s Light Up A Life service.
The annual event will be taking place on Sunday 6th December at the Groby Road Hospice and is open to anyone wanting to remember that special someone during the festive period.
“Light Up A Life is magical. I like to look up at the lights on the tree and know that one of those is for my mum. It’s really special,” said Lucy Green.
For Lucy, she says the event gives her that much-needed space and time to think about her mum during the build up to Christmas, while everyone around her remembers that special someone too.
“It’s an amazing event,” says Lucy, 39, of Melton Mowbray.
“Christmas is hard for anyone who has lost a loved one but Light Up A Life isn’t a sad time for us, it’s a really special time to remember mum.”
Linda Green was diagnosed with cancer in 2012. She was in and out of hospital for 11 months, as her health gradually got worse.
In May 2013, the decision was made that 64-year-old Linda would go to LOROS, where she spent the final two-and-a-half weeks of her life.
Lucy says Light Up A Life will have a permanent place in her diary every year.
“The tree looks amazing, especially once it is all lit up, it’s quite overwhelming and breathe taking,” she says.
“And you form this bond with everyone else is there because you’ve all lost somebody. They don’t have to have died in LOROS but you’re all remembering your loved ones and that’s what you have in common.
“It’s just a brilliant event. It will become a family tradition to go, I made sure we put it on the calendar early this year.
“It’s a really special day and I’m really looking forward to it.”
In return for a donation, a light will be lit up in memory of a loved one on the LOROS Christmas tree, kindly provided by Palmers Garden Centre.
Visitors attending this year’s Light Up A Life will also be given a star to tie to the tree in the Chapel at LOROS, which they can write a personal message on. There will be a Book of Remembrance at the service and on display in the Chapel afterwards.
LOROS Fundraiser Laura Fitzsawyer said: “Christmas can be a really difficult time for all patients, families and friends but our Light Up A Life event gives people that much-needed space and time to reflect and remember that special person.
“And it’s not just for patients and families who have been associated with LOROS, anybody wanting to come along is welcome.
“Everybody’s donation will ensure LOROS can continue providing essential care to 2,500 terminally ill adults across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
“Every penny makes such a difference, with £10 paying for the collection of a patient from home to day therapy, £25 covering the cost of one hour of care for one of our inpatients and £50 paying for two complementary therapy sessions.”
To attend this year’s Light Up A Life, which is sponsored by Morningside Pharmaceuticals Ltd, please visit loros.co.uk/lual, call LOROS fundraising on (0116) 231 8431/2 or email fundraising@loros.co.uk
The deadline to fill out the application form to attend is 30th November.
