3 Dec 2018 Community

Community comes together to Light up a Life

Families pay tribute to the lives of loved ones and dedicate a light in their memory at the annual Kirkwood Hospice celebration.

Over 1,000 guests gathered in the gardens of Kirkwood Hospice over the weekend for two very special Light up a Life events.

Each year, Kirkwood invites people from across Kirklees and beyond to join them in the Hospice grounds at Dalton to remember loved ones who have died or cannot be here as the festive season approaches.

During the event, the spectacular beech tree at the heart of Kirkwood’s gardens was lit up on, with visitors invited to dedicate a light to someone special in their lives.

The lights act as a poignant symbol of those who can’t be with us at this time of year and will shine brightly throughout the Christmas period.

Kirkwood provides care for anyone affected by a life limiting illness in Kirklees and the Light up a Life event is an important ceremony for people to share special memories and celebrate the life of those remembered.

The Light up a Life ceremonies were led by a team of Kirkwood staff and volunteers, with readings, music and a spiritual reflection read by Staff Nurse Anna Marie Wilkinson and Joy Coates and Arif Ahmad.

The names of loved ones being remembered were also recorded in a Book of Lights, which was displayed throughout both events and will be available to view at the Hospice in the New Year.

Patricia Kaye came to Light up a Life to remember her mum, Audrey Kaye.

Patricia donated Audrey’s funeral flowers to Kirkwood after she passed away at home in 2006. She received a hand-written thank you card for the donation and now tries to attend Light up a Life every year as a tribute to her mum.

She said: “Light up a Life is a nice way to remember her. I come hoping she’s looking down and can see her light on the tree.”

This year’s ceremony was an emotional one for the Heap family, who travelled from Leeds to remember Bronwyn Heap, of Golcar, who was cared for on Kirkwood’s In-Patient Unit before she died in November last year.

Bronwyn’s sons, Paul and Mark, came with their Dad, Mark’s partner Kate and Bronwyn’s granddaughter, Ashley.

"Kirkwood is a brilliant place. The care Bronwyn received was second to none. I think she relaxed when we brought her to Kirkwood." Kate Heap

Paul first attended Light up a Life 12 years ago to remember his first wife and this year brought his family to share special memories of Bronwyn.

Kate said: “Kirkwood is a brilliant place. The care Bronwyn received was second to none. I think she relaxed when we brought her to Kirkwood.

“They do fabulous work and we’re excited to come down and show our support tonight.”

Amanda Wartley came to remember her husband.

She said: “I am taking part to support Kirkwood and remember my husband, who passed away there on the 30th of March 2017. Kirkwood looked after him, me, our children and all the family at the worst time in our lives.

“I try to support Kirkwood however I can to go some way to saying thank you for the love and care they gave my husband. We will never forget him and Light up a Life is a fitting way to remember at this time of year.”

Tracey Beaumont attended the event to remember her mum, Dale Moxon.

Tracey said: “My darling Mum, Dale Moxon, who passed away in April 2017 , was a volunteer in the Fundraising department. She helped there with her best friend and my Auntie Mignon, who is a volunteer now.

"You learn to live the loss of someone very special, but she is always in our thoughts. Thank you Kirkwood for looking after her in her final days." Tracey Beaumont

“My Mum was a very proud, wonderful and beautiful lady. She loved helping people, and loved her volunteer work.

“My Mum is always in our hearts. You learn to live the loss of someone very special, but she is always in our thoughts.. Thank you Kirkwood for looking after her in her final days.”

For those unable to attend last weekend’s events, an indoor service will be held next Saturday, 8th December at the Longcauseway Church in Dewsbury at 12 noon. This event is free and open to anyone.

There is still time to make a dedication to someone you love, which will be displayed in Kirkwood’s Book of Lights in the New Year. To make a dedication, click here or call Kirkwood’s Fundraising Team on: 01484 557911