More than 900 people attended the Light Up a Life service in the city, arranged by St Giles Hospice. The annual Light Up a Life service offers anyone who has lost someone the opportunity to remember them and celebrate their life.

People attending the service helped to support the work of St Giles by dedicating a light on a Christmas tree and by leaving the name of their loved one and a personal message in its Book of Memories.

St Giles Hospice Director of Fundraising Elinor (corr) Eustace said: “Christmas is an emotional time when people particularly feel the loss of family and friends who have died and want to reflect upon the experiences they shared.

“Light Up a Life gives families and friends the opportunity to come together for a moment of peacefulness, to remember happy times. Our Light Up a Life services, which are held throughout the St Giles catchment area, are always very special occasions for people who want to commemorate their loved ones at this time of year.

“Lichfield Cathedral is a magical setting for what is always a really touching occasion and we’d really like to thank St Giles Hospice Trustee Lindsey Williams for her lovely poem reading, the Rev Dr Robert Bates for leading such a thoughtful service and Sutton Coldfield Chamber Choir and the musicians of Landau Forte Academy QEMS for their beautiful performances.

“Not to mention the wonderful volunteers who gave up their time on a cold Sunday evening to make sure everything ran smoothly. We really couldn’t do it without their support.

“Open air services can be challenging, especially at this time of year, but with John Carver’s technical support we had a lovely evening despite the blustery winds and we’d like to thank everyone who came along to support Light Up a Life this year.”    

The Light up a Life services are open to anyone to attend, not just those people who have been supported by St Giles.

Services have also been held this month across the St Giles Hospice region, in Aldridge, Burton, Tamworth, Uttoxeter, Whittington, Sutton Coldfield, and Cannock.

The Book of Memories will be available to view in St Giles hospices and selected service locations throughout 2020.

For more information about St Giles and the care it provides, please visit www.stgileshospice.com