You’re not alone. Celebrate a loved one together this Christmas.
As Winter approaches, our hearts turn to the joy of Christmas. Yet, for some, this season can be a reminder of the cherished faces missing from our holiday gatherings. An empty chair at the table can cast a shadow over the festivities.
There are several ways in which you can get involved in our Light up a Life activities. You can dedicate a virtual light that shines on, attend or watch a service or even hold your own event.
Dedicate a Light, share a memory
Light up a Life offers you a touching way to honour and celebrate the lives of those special individuals who have left us. By dedicating a virtual light to their memory, you ensure their name shines brightly throughout the festive season.
How to dedicate a light:
It’s really easy to do, just click below to begin your dedication. You will be able to write a special message and even upload a photo of your loved one. This will be displayed as a light on our virtual Christmas tree and you can even share a link to it with friends and family.
How much does is cost?
You’ll need to make a minimum donation of £2 with your online dedication to help us to continue offering our amazing support to people and families living with a terminal illness.
If you’d like to attend one of our Light up a Life services, you can also do this at the same time.
Where will it be displayed?
Dedications made before 12pm on Friday 24th November, will show on the online virtual Christmas Tree in their fullest form. The names of those remembered will then also be included in:
• The Books of Remembrance: Which will be on display at both of our Light up a Life services of remembrance here at the Hospice on 29th November and at Hereford Cathedral from 10th December – 2nd January.
•The Wall of Remembrance: Which will be installed outside Hereford Cathedral for your to visit and view from 10th December 2023 – 2nd January 2024.
Dedications made after 12pm on 24th November will just display on the virtual Christmas Tree.
If you’d like to host your own Light up a Life service, it’s really easy to do. Get in touch with us to tell us when and where you will be hosting your service. We will send you an order of service which you can use or personalise to suit your event, along with blank poster templates to promote your event.
Our team will equip you with donation envelopes or collecting tins so that you can safely gather donations for St Michael’s Hospice. Just click the button below to make an enquiry about hosting your own Light up a Life service of remembrance.
When you make a dedication and donation before 24th November, the name of the loved one you are remembering will automatically be included on our Wall of Remembrance. It will be displayed outside of Hereford Cathedral for you to visit and view from 10th December until 2nd January.
Watch our service
10th December 2023
Join us from the comfort of your home for the live-streamed service from Hereford Cathedral at 5.30pm. Commemorate a loved-one for our service filled with music, readings and moments to remember.
Attend a community event
We are lucky enough to have churches and organisations within the community choose to host their own Light up a Life event which is free to attend. Events are as follows:
- Sunday 26th November 6pm, Ross Baptist Church
- Sunday 3rd December 2:30pm, St Mary the Virgin Church, Marden
- Sunday 3rd December 4pm, St Andrew’s Church, Hampton Bishop
- Sunday 3rd December 6pm, St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Ledbury
- Sunday 10th December 4pm, Leominster Methodist Church
- Sunday 10th December 6pm, St Michael’s Church, Brimfield
- Thursday 14th December 6pm, Knighton Methodist Church
Light up a Life Appeal
Many people choose to support St Michael’s Hospice at Christmas by adding a donation to their dedication. It’s essential donations like these that mean we can continue to provide outstanding care to those who need it most, whenever they need it.
We rely on the generous gifts and donations we receive to ensure that we raise the £7.8 million needed to keep our doors open and our incredible services and care available to everyone 365 days of the year.
When making a dedication online, you will be given the option to include a donation if you wish to. We will also have donation envelopes available at our services.
Help & Support
Please remember that if you are living with a terminal illness, or caring for someone who is, or you have been bereaved, we are here to help. Just call our advice line on 01432 852 080.
The line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Make a free Will
Writing a Will is one of the most important parts of planning for the end of life. It shouldn’t be scary or something you always put off. It doesn’t matter if you’re 18 or 98, it’s an essential part of making sure that the people and causes you care about are looked after when you’re gone.
Leave a gift in your Will
Legacies of all sizes are vital for St Michael’s Hospice: they help us to continue providing all our services free of charge. Legacies help secure the future of the Hospice and account for approximately 20% of our indispensable voluntary income.
Bereavement Support
While grief is a natural part of life, when someone you love dies it can also be a difficult and sometimes devastating experience. Like many people, you may find it helpful to talk to someone outside your family and friends.
24-hour advice line
Our 24 hours phone number is a single point of access allowing you to speak confidentially to members of our clinical team who can provide advice and information on subjects like accessing services and controlling symptoms.
