Local hospice care charity Phyllis Tuckwell held its annual Light up a Life service on the evening of Sunday 10th December, with hundreds of people gathering outside Guildford Cathedral to remember loved ones who have died.
Phyllis Tuckwell’s Light up a Life service was held outside Guildford Cathedral.
Light up a Life is held every year in the lead up to Christmas, and offers comfort and support to those whose loved ones have died. Sarah Church, chief executive of Phyllis Tuckwell, welcomed attendees to the event, which was once again held outside the beautiful Cathedral in Guildford. The service was led by Rev. Dr Jill Thornton and Rev. Gerard Mee, with readings from Michael More-Molyneux, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, and Councillor Sallie Barker MBE, Deputy Mayor of Guildford, and carols which were led by Farnham Brass Band. The image of a Christmas tree was projected onto the front of the Cathedral building, and during the service the lights on the tree were ‘switched on’, in memory of those who have died.
Anyone who wanted to, could make a dedication in memory of their loved one. Their loved one’s name was projected onto the front of the Cathedral after the service, until 10.30pm that evening, and was printed in the Order of Service, which was given out that evening and published on Phyllis Tuckwell’s website.
“We hope that this poignant service gave comfort and support to those who are missing a loved one this Christmas,” said Maria Abellan, patient, family & carer support team manager at Phyllis Tuckwell. “We would like to thank everyone who helped to make this evening so special: Right at Home for sponsoring Light up a Life 2023, Guildford Cathedral for hosting the event, Farnham Brass Band for leading the carols, Waitrose and Partners for providing the mince pies, Seasons Café for opening through the evening, and of course our fabulous volunteers for all their help on the night. Thanks also to everyone who came along or watched the service online.”
If you were unable to attend the service, you can watch a recording of it at www.pth.org.uk/lual2023
All of the generous donations which were made by people remembering loved ones through dedications will go directly towards helping Phyllis Tuckwell continue providing its specialist supportive and end of life care to its patients and their families. Every day it supports over 250 patients, relatives and carers, through medical and nursing care, therapies, counselling, social work advice and practical support. However, as the NHS/Government usually only covers about 20% of its costs, it has to raise over £25,000 a day to do this, and so is hugely grateful for the support and generosity of the local community.