Ceremony to remember gone too soon

The event is organised each year by Blue Skies Hospitals Fund and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Chaplaincy Team in remembrance of relatives, and to raise money for Bereavement Services.

Around 180 people attended the ceremony, held at Oliver’s Restaurant at the hospital, on Monday, which included music and readings by staff and volunteers at the Trust.

Chaplaincy Team Leader, Rev Graeme Harrison, said: “Christmas can be a very difficult time for people who have experienced loss, whether they are recently bereaved or their loss happened some time ago.

“We like to make our Tree of Lights ceremony a positive occasion to help people with their bereavement.”

The event was the ninth to be held at the Trust, and included the opportunity for people to enter names of friends and family members into a Book of Remembrance.

The book will be on display in the Hospital Chapel throughout December.

A tree was lit indoors as part of the event and dedicated lights will shine in the Quiet Garden at the hospital. Remembrance candles were also lit and each guest was handed a memento.