The Suffolk community joined alongside St Elizabeth Hospice to celebrate the lives of loved ones, who are no longer with us, at the hospice’s annual Light up a Life remembrance service.
Taking place on Sunday 18th December, at St Mary-le-Tower Church in Ipswich, Light up a Life saw the hospice help the local community celebrate the lives of loved ones, through a special remembrance service.
Held between 3-4pm, the Light up a Life saw more than 150 people attend the service which was led by Reverend Tom Mumford of St Mary-le-Tower Church and featured traditional Christmas carols and readings from supporters, as well as performances from Ipswich Hospital Community Choir and music from local singer Roma Manteiga-Nicholson.
Catherine Sheppard, Supporter Campaigns Fundraiser at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “As ever, Light up a Life proved to be an incredibly moving service, full of Christmas song and festive spirit.
“Christmas is a time for families and friends to be together and every year Light up a Life provides the perfect opportunity for the hospice to unite with the community to remember loved ones at the beautiful St Mary-le-Tower Church.
“On behalf of the hospice I would like to say ‘thank you’ and ‘happy Christmas’ to all who supported and helped organise the service.”
As well as the remembrance service, the community were invited to write a personal message to loved ones, on special Memory Stars which was displayed on the Tree of Love at the church.
Every year Light up a Life sees the community join with the hospice to remember loved ones in a special service held at St Mary-le-Tower Church in Ipswich. However, due to restrictions concerning the Covid-19 pandemic, the event has not been held in its traditional format since 2019.
Kathryn Smith, who attended Light up a Life and gave a reading at the service, added: “It has been once again a lovely service and a chance for me to show how grateful I am to the hospice, and to say ‘thank you’ for their support.”
A short video from the service can also be found here – www.youtube.com/watch?v=trD3UijUwtI