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 3 December 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.
When you make a donation through Light up a Life, you can also place a dedication in our beautiful remembrance book – the Book of Light – which is on display at the Sanctuary at Rowcroft Hospice throughout the year.
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 inmemory@rowcrofthospice.org.uk with your name and address.
Shining a light for others this Christmas
Just after Christmas last year, Rowcroft’s Hospice at Home team visited Steve Wright in his Torquay home to care for him at the end of his life.
“The nurses who visited Dad ensured that he was cared for and comfortable,” remembers daughters Vicky (pictured far left in photo with her late Mum and Dad) and Lizzie (pictured middle). “They were empathetic and understanding but also assertive and guiding. They took the lead and were the adults when we needed to be Dad’s children. They were the lights at the front door when darkness had crept upon us. Most importantly, having care at home from the Rowcroft team meant that Dad was able to stay in his home as per his wishes. The home he loved.
“Rowcroft Hospice provides vital services that our community must nurture and protect. The bereavement support we had after Dad passed away has also been invaluable.
“This year, we will be dedicating two lights in memory – one for Dad and one for Mum. By dedicating these lights, we will support Rowcroft to be the light in another family’s darkness, spreading hope and kindness as they help people in life and death.”
Thanks to our generous sponsors
Rowcroft’s Light up a Life event is generously sponsored by Wollens Solicitors of Torquay.
Chris Hart, Chief Executive of Wollens, said:
“We are delighted to support ‘Light up a Life’ again in 2023. The Tree of Light provides a meaningful way to remember and honour loved ones who have been lost. At Wollens we recognise the importance of this initiative and the valuable work that Rowcroft undertake in the South Devon community. Once again we are hugely grateful for the support that they provide to individuals and their families.”