On Friday 17 November, hundreds of twinkling lights will be lit in memory and celebration of loved ones in the annual St Richard's Hospice Lights of Love campaign in Worcester. We caught up with one of our partners, Jason Clines, to find out why we have supported this festive charity event for the last five years.
St. Richard's Hospice is an independent charity which receives funding from the National Health Service for only around a quarter of its income, the rest is raised through public donations, fundraising events like this one, and personal challenges to enable them to continue to provide their wide range of much-needed services.
The hospice cares for adults with a serious progressive illness, improving their quality of life from diagnosis, during treatment to their last days and supporting those important to them. Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,100 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire and it costs £9.72m to run the hospice.
The Lights of Love festival is well known in Worcester, it's been running for more than 20 years. Anyone is welcome to dedicate a light in memory or celebration of a loved one, not only those who have a connection with St. Richard's.
There will be two moving and uplifting St Richard’s Lights of Love events at Worcester Cathedral at 2.30pm and 7pm on Friday, 17 November. The choir from Kings Hawford will sing during the afternoon event and the RGS Senior School Choir will feature in the evening event.
The evening event will be followed by a procession to St Andrew’s Spire, where a Christmas tree will be illuminated, full of dedicated Lights of Love, against a backdrop of music from the Worcester Salvation Army.
Jason said: “We are thrilled to be able to support them. Lights of Love resonates on a personal level with me and is very close to our hearts here at Fisher German. We recognise the exceptional care that St Richard’s provides to people and their loved ones all over the county.
“The cathedral events are always very moving and comforting occasions, and we look forward to celebrating and remembering loved ones again this year.”
Hospice Campaigns Fundraiser, Laura Clarke, said, “It’s that time of year when we tend to reflect on all those wonderful people who have made a difference to our lives, particularly those who are no longer with us. We look forward to celebrating and remembering loved ones again this year. Our Lights of Love events are free to attend, open to all, and are the perfect way to pay tribute to those we hold dear.”
Last Christmas, a group of our colleagues from our Worcester office used their volunteer leave to spend a few hours at St Richard’s Hospice, putting up their Christmas decorations and talking to inpatients. Sarah Eastbury, who took part, said: “I think I can speak for everyone who attended that we all had a wonderful time. We worked in groups to hang garlands and decorate Christmas trees in their peaceful garden so that every patient had one in view. It was a great opportunity to bond as a team without cost while giving back to an amazing charity. They put on a lovely lunch for us and were so grateful, the chairman came to thank us personally.”
Supporters can dedicate a light online and register to attend an event by visiting www.strichards.org.uk/lights-of-love or call the Fundraising team on 01905 958262.
