Annual appeal underway ahead of Tree of Lights ceremony

Families will get the chance to both remember their loved ones and raise money for charity this Christmas.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Nov 2016, 06:30 BST
Updated 16th Nov 2016, 16:51 BST
Blue Skies Hospitals Funds fundraising administrator Hazel Preston with last years Book of RemembranceBlue Skies Hospitals Funds fundraising administrator Hazel Preston with last years Book of Remembrance
Blue Skies Hospitals Funds fundraising administrator Hazel Preston with last years Book of Remembrance

The Blue Skies Hospitals Fund said its annual Tree of Light will give grieving residents a chance to pay tribute to those they have lost, while also supporting those with relatives in their final days of life.

A special memorial evening has been arranged at Blackpool Victoria Hospital for early in December, while a book of remembrance will also be opened.

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Hospital chaplain Rev Jonathan Sewell said: “For some families it is a brave journey to come back to the hospital where a loved one died, and I hope those who come to this service will take comfort from it, support others through their time of sadness, and also through their generosity give comfort to others who are travelling the same journey.

£5 will fund a comfort pack given to relatives whose loved ones are in their final days of life£5 will fund a comfort pack given to relatives whose loved ones are in their final days of life
£5 will fund a comfort pack given to relatives whose loved ones are in their final days of life

“The service is open to anyone who wishes to attend and remember their family and friends. It does not matter whether your bereavement was recent or many years ago, or whether the person you lost was cared for at one of the local hospitals.”

The hospital choir will sing in the main entrance from 6.30pm on Monday, December 5, before the Tree of Lights ceremony gets underway at 7pm inside the restaurant.

Lasting for around an hour, a selection of poems and readings will be heard, as well as Christmas music and carols.

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During the ceremony, candles will be lit in memory of those who have died, while refreshments will be served afterwards, when members of the hospital’s chaplaincy team will be available to talk to relatives. The book of remembrance will be open throughout December.

£5 will fund a comfort pack given to relatives whose loved ones are in their final days of life£5 will fund a comfort pack given to relatives whose loved ones are in their final days of life
£5 will fund a comfort pack given to relatives whose loved ones are in their final days of life

Last year’s Tree of Lights appeal raised almost £2,500, and this year Blue Skies, the hospital trust’s charity, hopes to raise even more.

It is asking for donations of £5 to help care for those staying in hospital alongside their loved ones in their last days.

The money will fund special comfort packs filled with toiletries, snacks, a blanket, and also containing practical help with the aspects of spending a prolonged period of time in hospital.

To donate, call 01253 957381 or visit justgiving.com/tree-0f-lights-2016