Light Up a Life for children like Freya this Christmas

North Devon’s annual Light Up a Life appeal is a beautiful way to remember a loved one this Christmas. And it is also a wonderful way to help light up the lives of so many local children living with a life-limiting condition.

Children like Freya, 15, from Barnstaple, who has been visiting the Little Bridge House children’s hospice in Fremington since she was a baby.

Freya has a rare brain disorder that causes a range of complex health conditions but like any typical teenager, she has a real love for music and loves to let loose at the hospice, run by Children’s Hospice South West.

She loves the hydrotherapy pool and gardens but her favourite thing to do is make music with Little Bridge House music therapist Ceridwen.

“Freya is a girl whose main aim in life is to have fun and she certainly makes the most of every moment in any given day when she is staying with us,” said Ceridwen.

“Whether she is singing ‘Frozen’ or drumming or dancing or simply sitting at the piano and improvising, Freya really enjoys making very loud music sometimes.

“Other times, her music-making is really gentle and you can really hear how she sings at the same pitch as me and listens really carefully and responds to my singing as I, in turn respond to hers.

“The other children and families love hearing her sing, and it also gives the staff a real boost to hear her music.”

Freya’s mum Claire said the first time the family came to stay at Little Bridge House was ‘absolutely amazing’.

“There is nothing but kindness and warmth from the second you arrive and nothing is too much trouble,” she said.

“The staff at the hospice are more than just staff, they are our friends. They are like the long lost family you never knew you needed or even had and there is always someone there at the end of the phone if you need them.

“People often think of a hospice as a sad place and of course at times they are. But there is so much joy and laughter there too and I would encourage everyone to visit Little Bridge House and find out more about all the ways they are about to support families like ours.”

Money raised at the Light Up a Life appeal will help Children’s Hospice South West and North Devon Hospice provide vital support for local families.

There is an opportunity to be part of this year’s appeal by lighting a candle at a series of special church services being held in Fremington, Woolsery, Ilfracombe, Barnstaple, Bideford and Torrington from December 4-11.

Or you can make a donation by visiting www.lual.co.uk

Light Up a Life 2022 service dates:

• Sunday 4 December: Fremington Methodist Church, 6pm
• Tuesday 6 December: Pip and Jim's Church, Ilfracombe, 6.30pm
• Tuesday 6 December: All Hallows Church, Woolsery, 6.30pm
• Friday 9 December: Grosvenor Church, Barnstaple, 7pm
• Saturday 10 December: Bideford Pannier Market (in conjunction with St Mary’s Parish Church, Bideford), 6.30pm
• Sunday 11 December: Torrington Methodist Church, 10.30am