Lights switch on will remember loved ones lost.
For the first time ever, the local Hospice will be hosting its seasonal Light up a Life ceremony at Brindleyplace – creating an evening of music, celebration and remembrance. Taking place on Thursday 30th November from 6pm, Light up a Life will see the charity switch on Christmas tree lights in Oozells Square, with the lights symbolising the lives of those no longer with us.
Alongside the switch on, there will be live musical performances from The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Town Hall Gospel Choir (pictured) and The Uptone Girls – a student choir from the University of Birmingham that recently competed in BBC One’s Pitch Battle. Before the event, there will also be an opportunity to honour loved ones in the Hospice’s Book of Remembrance, which will be displayed at the Brindleyplace ceremony.
Birmingham St Mary’s is an independent hospice which provides vital care to individuals and families living with terminal illness. Its Light up a Life event is an opportunity to bring local people together to celebrate their loved ones, whether or not they were supported by the Hospice.
Tina Swani, chief executive at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, said: “Christmas is a time to be with family and friends, and to remember those loved ones who are sadly no longer with us. The festive season can be a difficult time for anyone who has experienced loss and so our Light up a Life event is an opportunity to come together to remember and honour the life of someone special.
“We are very grateful to Brindleyplace for allowing us to host Light up a Life in Oozells Square this year. By being in the heart of Birmingham’s city centre, we hope that many more people will be inspired to join in with this special event.”
Light up a Life is part of the Hospice’s Care at Christmas campaign – a festive appeal that aims to increase support for the charity leading up to and over the Christmas period. It costs £22,000 to run the Hospice on Christmas Day and so all donations will make a big difference to the local families the Hospice supports over the festive season.
In addition to the Light up a Life evening at Brindleyplace, the Hospice will also be hosting two more remembrance events at its home in Selly Park. They will both take place on Thursday 14 December, with an afternoon event at 4.30pm and an evening one at 7pm.
To find out more about Light up a Life, as well as Birmingham St Mary’s, visit: http://www.careatchristmas.org/light-up-a-life/