November 6, 2015 1.59 pm This story is over 100 months old

Lincolnshire communities invited to ‘Light up a Life’ in memory of loved ones

Light up a Life: A programme of poignant events is returning this winter to unite people across Lincolnshire, offering them the chance to celebrate the life of someone special.
Photo: Stuart Wilde

A programme of poignant events is returning this winter to unite people across Lincolnshire, offering them the chance to celebrate the life of someone special.

Nine Light up a Life events are taking place in the county featuring touching readings, music, time for quiet reflection and candle lighting ceremonies in remembrance.

The celebrations, now in their 15th year, help to raise funds for end-of-life care charity St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice.

During last year’s events over £37,000 was pledged to support the care of people with life-limiting illnesses in the county.

Each Light up a Life celebration will last approximately 1 – 1.5 hours, is free to attend and open to everyone, regardless of faith. There is no need to book in advance.

For those attending the Lincoln event at Our Lady of Lincoln Church, there is an optional torch-lit procession afterwards from Clayton’s Sports Ground past the Hospice and on to Lincoln Cathedral, where the Tree of Life will be illuminated for the whole community to see.

Light up a Life events taking place in Lincolnshire are:

LINCOLN, Our Lady of Lincoln Church
November 24, 6pm
(followed by the Torchlight Procession from Clayton’s Sports Ground, Lee Road, Lincoln LN2 4BH, 7.30pm)

SKEGNESS, St Matthew’s Church
December 3, 6.30pm

BOSTON, Zion Methodist Church
Brothertoft Road,  December 4, 6pm

SUTTON ON SEA Meridale Youth and Community Centre
December 5, 3pm

SPALDING, St John the Baptist Church
December 6, 4pm

LOUTH, Methodist Church
December 7, 6pm

SLEAFORD, Methodist Church
December 7, 6.45pm

GRANTHAM, St Wulfram’s Church
December 8, 6pm

GAINSBOROUGH, United Reform Church
December 8, 7pm

For the 15th consecutive year, Doddington Hall and Gardens have supported the appeal by donating a 25ft tree, which is placed outside Lincoln Cathedral.

The Tree if Life is being donated by Doddington Hall

The Tree if Life is being donated by Doddington Hall

Becky Otter, Event Manager for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, said: “These gatherings, which unite people in our community who have experienced the loss of someone special, bring great comfort and support to all who attend.

“Last year more than 11,000 lights shone brightly on our Trees of Life, each light representing the life of someone who is no longer with us.

“It is truly a beautiful sight and the wonderful thing about these celebrations is that they are inclusive to everyone within our community, regardless of whether they have a connection to our hospice.”