St Cuthbert’s Hospice set to host Light up a Life Service
Written by Lily Ballentine on 13th December 2024
St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham is hosting its annual Light up a Life Service at Durham Cathedral on Sunday, December 15th.
The service, taking place from 7pm-8pm, offers people in Durham an opportunity to pay tribute to loved ones they have lost. This event is especially important during the festive period as it is often a time when we reflect on memories of those who are no longer with us.
By making a donation, the names of loved ones will be included in the Hospice’s Book of Remembrance, which will be commemorated at the service. Donors will also see their loved ones’ names featured on a digital candles page on the Hospice’s website and will receive a personalised remembrance card along with a keepsake.
(Image credit: St Cuthbert’s Hospice)
Alison Maynard, Deputy Principal of New College Durham and recent host of the Hospice’s Christmas Fair, said: “I’m sure we’ve all known or have loved ones who have needed that support in the final days. We can’t rely on the NHS or the government providing that support at the moment. We all have to play a part in supporting local communities, but also local charities.”
Although the deadline to make a dedication in the Book of Remembrance is now closed, you can still donate and will receive a card, keepsake and digital candle, however your loved one’s name will not appear in the book during Sunday’s service- though it will be added after the event.
Belmont Community School designed and made the keepsakes for this year’s event and Stuart Wright Funeral Service are the sponsors.
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Another way you can support the Hospice during this festive period is by getting involved in their Christmas Tree Recycling. This will take place in January and will involve a team of volunteers collecting people’s real Christmas trees to be recycled. The Hospice suggests a minimum donation of £12 and they will collect trees from the postcodes DH1 to DH8. They are hoping to collect more than 600 trees and raise around £6000 or more.
Currently, they are also in the process of recruiting 10-12 couples for their Strictly St Cuthbert’s event. Just like Strictly Come Dancing, the couples receive 10 weeks of group dance lessons, starting from January 12th 2025, before competing and performing a themed routine at the Grand Finale, which takes place at The Fed in Gateshead on March 22nd.
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Community Fundraiser at the Hospice, Erin Wright, said: “I would really hope that St Cuthbert’s continues to be there for anyone that does need to use our services in the future and you never know quite when that’s going to be. It’s important to know that the Hospice is there for when you need it the most.”
To ensure the Hospice can continue supporting the community, St Cuthbert’s Hospice announced on December 11th that it may face staff redundancies and the closure of vital services due to a financial crisis—highlighting an urgent need for support.
See here for information and follow this link to donate to the Hospice.
Light up a Life will take place at Durham Cathedral this Sunday, December 15th at 7pm. Click here to make a donation and Light up a Life.
For more information about the Hospice’s Christmas Tree Recycling, follow this link. For more information about Strictly St Cuthbert’s, including how you can sign up, see here.
