Light up a Life for Wirral Hospice St John’s
Light up a Life has been raising much needed funds for Wirral Hospice St John’s ever since the first service in 1996. It’s a really special time of year which brings together our Wirral community to remember their loved ones. This year the hospice gardens will be lit with 10,000 beautiful lights on Sunday 8th December.
The lights will be switched on by Tracie Powell in memory of her husband Allan, Tracie will switch the lights on with her daughter, Kerry, and grandchildren, Morgan, 17, and Jeyda, 10.
Allan had been feeling ill for a while before he was taken to hospital in February 2017 after collapsing with what turned out to be a perforated bowel. A little time later the family were given the shattering news that Allan had bowel cancer and it had progressed to stage 4. He was determined to be around for as long as possible and underwent chemotherapy over several months to make the most of his time with the family.
They all describe Allan as a fighter and, often when seriously ill, he would rally and be back to feeling as well as could be, enjoying quality time watching movies with Morgan and ‘colouring-in’ with Jeyda.
Allan’s first referral to Wirral Hospice St John’s was in April 2018 and he was admitted for three weeks. Once he was made more comfortable he was able to return home to be with Tracie and the family. He also attended the Hospice Wellbeing Centre for a few sessions and this gave give Tracie a much needed break. He was able to spend time with other patients and joined in some activities. Allan was an avid reader and was able to spend quiet moments reading whilst at the Hospice.
In July 2018 Allan was admitted onto our Inpatient Unit again. He received the specialist care and support which would give Tracie, Kerry and the grandchildren some peace of mind and precious time together. They enjoyed picnics in the sunshine in the Hospice garden and talked about family holidays. Their Yorkshire terrier, Alfie, visited the Hospice too and enjoyed a cuddle from Allan. Sadly, Allan died on 29th July, 2018 and is dearly missed by his loving family.
Tracie has received bereavement support from the Hospice and has made new friends through the bereavement group. She has also joined the hospice as a volunteer.
On being approached to switch on the lights Tracie was delighted to accept, she said;
“The hospice was magnificent with and for Allan. The help I have personally received since has been wonderful. We all feel honoured to be able to switch on the lights, as we know it means so much for many families living in, and with family ties to, Wirral. Allan, the family and I had supported Light up a Life previously, remembering other loved ones and now we can play a part, in memory of Allan, to help people with their own special memories”
The service will be held in the hospice gardens on Sunday 8th December at 5.30pm. The carol service is free to attend and all are welcome to come along to remember their loved ones. For each light that is sponsored a loved one’s name is included in the hospice books of honour and people receive a Light up a Life card in their memory. The books are on display in the hospice from 4pm on 8th December and will remain on display throughout the Christmas period.
For a suggested minimum donation of £5 per light you can sponsor a Light in memory of a loved one. Light up a Life keepsake tree decorations are also available for a donation from £5.00 (including postage). To donate to the campaign please call 0151 343 0778 or visit www.wirralhospice.org/light-up-a-life to make a donation online.
We also invite businesses to sponsor a light from £50.00. All businesses are included in the event programme and in the books of honour.
Julia Evans, Fundraising Manager said, “We’re so grateful to Tracie, Kerry, Morgan and Jeyda for agreeing to share their story and for switching on our hospice lights. Each light represents someone special who is loved and remembered whether people have a connection to the hospice or not. I would like to thank everyone who has supported Light up a Life over the past 23 years. Your support has helped us to care for our patients and their loved ones.”
For more details please contact:
Julia Evans – Fundraising Development Manager on Juliae@wirralhospice.org or visit www.wirralhospice.org/light-up-a-life
