As the festive season approaches, Weldmar Hospicecare is once again inviting you to remember a loved one who will be missed this Christmas, including the opportunity for local communities in Dorset to come together the charity’s annual Light up a Life services.
These special services, which each last around thirty minutes, are open to everyone, whether or not your loved one was cared for by Weldmar. You can dedicate a light on the Christmas trees that are the centrepiece of each service, which begins with the switching on of the lights. and also includes readings, hymns, and time for reflection.
By dedicating a light in memory of someone special, you’ll receive a Light up a Life pack which includes a wooden star to hang on one of the Light up a Life trees, or your own Christmas tree, a handwritten card, and a copy of the order of service.
All donations made through Light up a Life help Weldmar to continue providing specialist care for people living with life limiting illnesses in Dorset, and support for their families and loved ones.
Following the success of Weldmar’s Stampede by the Sea art trail this year, which saw brightly decorated elephants take up residence in locations across the west of Dorset for eight weeks, the charity is delighted to announce that a brand new service will take place in Lyme Regis. The Town Mill will be the venue, on Thursday 27th November from 6pm, and local residents who want to remember a loved one are encouraged to attend.
The following evening sees a service in Bridport, which was also home to a number of elephants in the spring, followed by Wareham, Blandford, Dorchester, Sherborne, Gillingham and Weymouth. The final service is at the new venue of Weymouth Pavilion, with the service having taken place at Lodmoor Country Park for a number of years in the town.
The full schedule of services is as follows:
- Lyme Regis, The Town Mill – Thursday 27th November, 6:00pm
- Bridport, Groves Nurseries – Friday 28th November, 6:30pm
- Wareham, Holme for Gardens – Sunday 30th November, 4:00pm
- Blandford Forum, The Crown Hotel – Monday 1st December, 6:30pm
- Dorchester, Weldmar Hospicecare Inpatient Unit – Tuesday 2nd December, 6:30pm
- Sherborne, Castle Gardens – Wednesday 3rd December, 6:30pm
- Gillingham, Orchard Park Garden Centre – Thursday 4th December, 6:30pm
- Weymouth, Weymouth Pavilion – Monday 8th December, 6:30pm
For those unable to attend in person, Weldmar will be broadcasting a service on Wednesday, 10th December at 7:30pm on Facebook and YouTube, which will show the switching on of the lights at all of the services, and remain available to watch throughout the Christmas period.
Gloria McCartney, Fundraising Lead, said “The run up to Christmas, and the Light up a Life services, is a very special time at Weldmar Hospicecare.
“Being able to provide our communities with the opportunity to remember loved ones at such a special time of year is a privilege for all of us. For many people across Dorset, being able to dedicate a light to a loved one at the beginning of the festive season has become an important Christmas tradition. We see both new and familiar faces attending their local service each year. It’s a lovely act of remembrance at a time that can be both sad and challenging for those experiencing grief.
“We had such a wonderful response from the local community to our Stampede by the Sea elephant trail that took place this summer, so we’re delighted to have been able to add a service in Lyme Regis this year.”.
Those wishing to dedicate a light and find out more about their local service can visit weldmarhospicecare.org/lightupalife.
Light Up A Life – Nurses and Stars