The ceremony for Light Up A Life this year has raised more than £2000 for North London Hospice. More than 600 people joined us on Sunday 27 November to reflect, pause and remember their loved ones.
The event was our first ceremony without Covid-19 restrictions and included readings from the hospice bereavement team, songs from the Big Choir whilst BBC News Journalist Hugh Pym and his wife Susan shared their experience of the care that Susan’s sister Marion received at the hospice. You can read more about Marion’s story here.
Susan Pym said: “It was a beautiful evening. I met people who had been coming to Light up a Life for more than 10 years, to remember their loved ones and show support for North London Hospice. It was so moving to speak to them.
“It was such a privilege to be given the opportunity to speak about my sister and her experience of being cared for at North London Hospice. She loved all the staff looking after her, which was so reassuring for us, her family.
“I think we all feel very indebted to the team at North London Hospice. Light up a Life is a wonderful way to remember our loved ones but also to give thanks for the exceptional care they received.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Declan Carroll, Chief Executive at North London Hospice said: “Light Up A Life is the most important event in our calendar. It is an opportunity to pause, reflect and remember those we have lost. I am especially pleased that we are gathered here today since it was only a few weeks ago that our lovely horse chestnut tree, the focal point for Light Up A Life, came down during a storm. We were so relieved that nobody was hurt but we also understand how much the tree represented to so many, this was evident from the lovely messages we received. It was for many people more than just a tree.”
A special memory tree was installed which meant that the lighting of a tree, the focal point of Light Up A Life, could still go ahead as is now customary. The memory tree will remain lit up until the end of January. Photos from the evening can be viewed in the gallery below.
Declan Carroll added: “I am so proud of the work that we do here at North London Hospice, but I am also so grateful to you all for your support, in all its forms, since without it, we simply would not be here.”
A special thank you to all our volunteers & staff who made the event possible. Thank you also to the Rotary Club of Mill Hill who provided mulled wine, Delice de France & Waitrose Mill Hill for providing mince pies, Dwight School (staging and benches), St John’s Ambulance and Wilding Sound (PA system).
To date the 2022 Light Up A Life appeal has raised nearly £50,000 towards our vital services. If you would like to make a donation to North London Hospice then you can do on our donation page.
