Light up a Life this Christmas
Bereavement and grief touch us all, and we often feel our loss even more at Christmas time. That’s why, every year, Rowcroft holds a ‘Light up a Life’ celebration – open to all to honour, remember and celebrate the lives of our loved ones lost. As part of our ‘Light up a Life’ celebration, you can dedicate a light on our ‘Tree of Light’ in memory of those special people you love and miss.
Throughout the festive season, your light will shine brightly as a poignant way of honouring and celebrating your loved one’s life. Everyone who makes a dedication will be invited to our wonderful ‘Light up a Life’ celebration on Sunday 29 November at 4pm in the grounds of the hospice where the Tree of light will be illuminated.
Light up a Life is open to all, not just those families who have been cared for by Rowcroft, but friends, neighbours, colleagues, and everyone who wants to remember a loved one.
Rowcroft stars
This festive season, we’ll be hanging stars on one of the hospice’s Christmas trees, with each star dedicated to someone who is loved and missed. (The tree is visible in the bay window of Rainbow House.)
If you’d like a special person to be remembered on our tree, then we can send you a star for you to personalise with the name of your loved one. When you return your star to us, we’ll hang it on our tree for you. Alternatively you may prefer to display it on your tree at home. To request your free star, simply call us on 01803 217642 or email [email protected] with your name and address.
“It felt like visiting Mum at home"
For Nick, Shane and Leanne, dedicating a light on Rowcroft’s Tree of Light is a special way to honour their beloved mum, Debbie Pease, who was cared for at the hospice during the final weeks of her life. Rowcroft brought comfort and support through the hardest of times – and continues to hold a special place in the family’s hearts today.
“Rowcroft’s care was amazing,” says Leanne. “I remember the day we brought Mum in. We were all nervous, but the sun was shining through the windows and I thought, ‘Thank God – Mum’s going to get help now.’”
If I could describe Rowcroft in one word, it would be ‘kind’ – with a big heart drawn around it!
“Hearing the word Rowcroft is scary,” says Nick. “But when you experience the hospice, it’s warm, light and homely. We need to break the stigma that it’s a frightening place.”
“It didn’t feel like visiting Mum in a hospital or hospice,” says Shane. “It felt like visiting her at home. “Now there’s a hole that will never be filled – we all miss and love Mum so much.”
After Debbie passed away, the family dedicated a light in her memory on Rowcroft’s Tree of Light and attended the Light up a Life celebration in the hospice grounds, where the beautiful fir tree was illuminated.
Please book your parking ticket
If you’re planning to arrive at our celebration by car, please be aware that parking is limited and available by pre-booking only. Parking spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis – so if you require a parking space, please call us on 01803 217642 as soon as possible. Please car share where possible.