Festive celebrations will Light up a Life

City Hospice’s annual Light up a Life appeal, which aims to bring light and hope for people in Cardiff in the lead up to Christmas by remembering and celebrating the lives of loved ones, has returned for 2023.

There are a number of festive celebrations and services that supporters can get involved in during the appeal period which runs from October until 31 December.

City Hospice has been announced once again as one of Christmas at Bute Park’s chosen charities. As a charity partner, City Hospice will host a festive concert on 10 December at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, before attendees immerse themselves in the award-winning light trail through the grounds of Bute Park.

A community remembrance service will also take place on 1 December at Howells School, Llandaff.

Kathryn Lock will be remembering her dad Gareth and mother-in-law Ann in the lead up to Christmas by supporting the charity’s Light up a Life appeal. City Hospice cared for both Gareth and Ann at the end of their lives following their respective brain tumour and vascular dementia diagnoses.

Kathryn said: “As a family, we are so grateful to City Hospice for providing us with great nurses who constantly showed care and compassion. After dedicating our daisies to Dad and Ann in Forever Flowers, we are continuing to remember and celebrate them during Light up a Life this winter.

“Both Dad and Ann absolutely loved Christmas and, although they are sadly no longer with us, the memories of their joy and traditions will become even more special to us this year.”

Supporters will be able to make donations and leave messages of remembrance throughout the appeal period using the charity’s ‘Virtual Star in the Sky’ feature.

Donations made to the Light up a Life appeal during the three-month period will go twice as far, thanks to match funding by The Hodge Foundation who are generously supporting the appeal.

Funds raised will support City Hospice, Cardiff’s local hospice, which is the only provider of home-based specialist palliative care in the capital. In addition to providing care and services including welfare advice and complementary therapies to patients with terminal or life limiting illnesses, the charity offers counselling and support services for their patients’ families.

Liz Booyse, Chief Executive of City Hospice, said: “We know that the festive season can be a difficult time for those who have lost loved ones. We hope our Light up a Life events and activities provide some comfort and joy during this period as we come together as a community in memory of those we love.”

Karen Hodge, a trustee of The Hodge Foundation, said: “We are delighted to support City Hospice’s Light up a Life 2023 appeal, match funding donations to support their incredibly important work in the community.”