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St Barnabas Hospice ran its annual Light Up A Life procession through Lincoln on Tuesday night, streaming it virtually this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The annual torchlit procession usually allowed people to walk through the city holding flaming torches, before ending up at the Tree of Life at Lincoln Cathedral.

The tree will be up until January 7, allowing people to honour a loved one this Christmas, with each light decoration representing someone different.

Even at 30ft high, it dwarfs in comparison to our cathedral. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Last year’s Light Up A Life walk saw hundreds turn up to honour their loved ones, but that wasn’t possible this year.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event was broadcast on St Barnabas Hospice’s social media pages and website at 7pm on Tuesday.

Finlay Macghee from RAF Waddington’s pipe band joined the procession. | Photo: St Barnabas Hospice

Candles and lights could be dedicated in memory of people in your life. | Photo: St Barnabas Hospice

The virtual service saw candles lit as part of the Light Up A Life campaign, with a flaming candle representing a loved one who was lost this year.

Candles were lit for St Barnabas, the local community and all the loved ones we lost this year. | Photo: St Barnabas Hospice

Speeches from Ann Fradgley, spiritual and pastoral care chaplain, St Barnabas chairman Tony Maltby and staff nurse Annie Penrice honoured those who died in this difficult year.

St Barnabas staff walked the torches up to Lincoln Cathedral and the Tree of Life. | Photo: St Barnabas Hospice

Following the poems and speeches was a solo performance by Finlay Macghee, a member of the RAF Waddington pipe band.

Amazing Grace was played as two candles were walked and held by the Tree of Life outside Lincoln Cathedral, where reverend canon John Patrick celebrated the work of St Barnabas.

The Tree of Life at the cathedral was where the procession ended up. | Photo: St Barnabas Hospice

Hymns, memories of loved ones and gorgeous scenes of the tree were shared on the video before a closing message of hope from Chris Wheway, CEO of St Barnabas.

A 52-year-old Grantham man lost his battle with COVID-19 this month and his daughter is raising money to “give him the send off he deserves”.

He worked at a SPAR store in Grantham for over 10 years and was popular at work as he had a very good sense of humour.

Paul Mayfield’s daughter Hayley Ann Marson said he was “clear and well of the virus” before being rushed to Lincoln County Hospital with breathing issues.

He sadly died later the same week on Saturday, November 14. She said he didn’t die from coronavirus, but from an underlining illness related to COVID that left a massive strain on his heart and caused it to fail.

Paul had seven children (Scott Slark, Hayley Marson, Carl Slark, Gareth Slark, Blake Slark, Anthony Clark and Kieran Mayfield), and was a loving partner to Sara Slark for 18 and a half years.

His daughter Hayley has set up a GoFundMe page to help with any funeral costs. At the time of publication, the page has so far raised just over £890.

On the fundraising page, she said: “Paul was the only son to Barbara Mayfield, who he would try and help when he could, even if it was a little thing. He helped her with shopping and walking the dog called Lady.

“Unfortunately Paul lost his dad at the age of 17, so was brought up alone with Barbara.

“He was proud of all the children of what they have become and accomplished. We all know he is looking down on us. Let’s try and give him the send off he deserves.”

Boston and East Lindsey are “highly likely” to be put under the toughest restrictions when lockdown ends, MP Matt Warman said.

Mr Warman said he had spoken to public health minister Jo Churchill about the two districts’ coronavirus infection rates on Tuesday night.

As of November 23, East Lindsey was the area with the third highest infection rates across the whole of the UK, with 515.8 against an England average of 239.9. Boston was 21st with 428.9.

Lincoln was also in the top 50 with 379.7.

In a post on Facebook, Mr Warman said: “We are the highest […] and a cause of real concern for the minister.

“I’m hugely grateful for her personal attention, but the reality is that the area is highly likely to be put into tier three when the nationwide lockdown ends.”

The highest tiers’ rules include a total closure of hospitality venues except for takeaways, a limit to just one household indoors, and care homes closed to visitors.

Tier three areas may also be subject to a new mass testing pilot for six weeks.

Mr Warman said the reasons for the high infection rates included more widespread community transmission, a number of care home and factory outbreaks, and a lack of adherence to the rules.

He urged residents to follow the rules “so that we can get through to a sensible Christmas and ultimately towards a vaccine”.

Health bosses both nationally and locally won’t know officially where regions will land until the announcement is made on Thursday.

It is unclear if Lincolnshire will be tiered as a county under the new rules, or as separate districts.

Lincolnshire was in the lowest tier and managed to escape moving into level two just days before the national restrictions kicked in.

North and North East Lincolnshire were in tier two and were quickly edging up towards tier three.

The two northern unitaries had infection rates of 448.1 each on Monday.