Light Up A Life helps daughter feel closer to beloved mum this Christmas

For Becky Dennis and her family, this Christmas will be the first without her beloved mum, Angela. But to feel close to her and keep her memory shining bright, the family will be supporting this year’s Light Up A Life appeal.

Every year, Light Up A Life offers local people the chance to come together with others in the community and remember someone they miss at Christmas time.

Jointly organised by North Devon Hospice and Children’s Hospice South West, people can light a candle in memory of a loved one or make a special dedication in exchange for a donation as a way of supporting both hospice charities.

Throughout December, a number of Light Up A Life services are also held across North Devon that people can attend to mark the memory of those no longer with us.

Angela, who was cared for by North Devon Hospice, passed away earlier this year aged 69 at home after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Daughter Becky said the support Angela received from the hospice helped her regain control and gave her back her independence at a time when it mattered most.

“When mum first came to the hospice, she was apprehensive but once she realised what a calm and caring place it is, the nerves soon melted away,” said Becky.

“She loved her stays on the Bedded Unit - they gave her a new lease of life and she always left feeling so much more positive.”

Knowing Angela’s absence will be felt by the whole family this Christmas, Becky wants to honour her memory in a meaningful way that she knows would have made her mum smile.

She said: “Mum always spent Christmas with us; she loved to sing a carol or two! Making a donation and lighting a candle for her in support of the hospice is what she would have wanted and will be a really lovely way for us to remember her.

“We will never forget the support mum received from North Devon Hospice and how much of a difference this made to her. While the care she received from the hospice nurses helped with her pain, the friendships she formed through the wonderful support groups made her feel less alone and gave her a lot of comfort.

“For this, we will be forever grateful and are privileged to support this year’s Light Up A Life appeal as a way of saying thank you.”

Ali Hunt, head of fundraising at North Devon Hospice said: “For families like Becky’s who have lost someone dear, Christmas can be a difficult time when the absence of their loved one is felt even more.

“This December, we want to invite you to be part of the Light Up a Life community and join us to remember someone you miss, even if they weren’t cared for by the hospice.”

Light Up a Life is kindly sponsored by James Electrics. To donate online, please visit www.lual.co.uk.

Light Up A Life services 2023

Sunday, November 26: Loxhore Chapel, 3pm

Sunday, December 3: Fremington Methodist Church, 6.30pm

Monday, December 4: Pip & Jim’s, Ilfracombe, 7pm

Friday, December 8: Grosvenor Church, Barnstaple, 7pm

Sunday, December 10: Torrington Methodist Church, 10am

Tuesday, December 12: All Hallows Church, Woolsery, 6.30pm

Saturday, December 16: Bideford Pannier Market, 6.30pm