St Joseph’s Hospice prepares to turn on the lights for Light Up A Life memorial

Volunteer will light up for his father for the first time

LIGHTING up the darkness next week at St Joseph’s Hospice will allow people of all faiths to remember loved ones who have died.

The hospice in Mare Street, Hackney is holding its annual Light Up A Life memorial and appeal on December 2 from 7pm, and all those who have gone through bereavement are invited.

The event allows people to remember their loved ones by sponsoring a light, signing a remembrance card and making a donation.

Last year the event raised �35,000 for the hospice, which gives care to terminally ill people alongside support to their families.

The average patient stay at St Joseph’s costs �13,400 and it costs more than �12m to run the hospice for a year, only half of which is paid by the NHS.

One 18-year-old Stoke Newington resident remembers his father, who died of lung cancer at the hospice in 2005, in a very practical way.

Shuhed Miah is one of the youngest of 200 volunteers at St Joseph’s and this year will attend Light Up a Life for the first time.

“The staff were very kind and friendly. I was only 13 but could really sense the friendly feeling there,” he said.

“They really looked after my Mum too. She was able to sleep in Dad’s room there and the nurses really cared for her as well. I decided that when I got a bit older I would like to give something back and volunteer at the hospice. It was a bit daunting at first, but now I just think about it being the place where Dad was.”

Michael Kerin, chief executive at St Joseph’s said an important part of hospice care is the support provided to friends and family of a patient after they have died.

“Light up a Life is an opportunity for people of all ages from across east London to celebrate the life of someone they loved.”

To dedicate a light contact Vanessa on 0208 525 6042.