27 Dec 2025 Community

Thongsbridge resident Louise Byrne turns Christmas memories into lasting support for The Kirkwood

Christmas is a time for goodwill, love, and togetherness and one Thongsbridge resident has shown all three in abundance through her heartfelt fundraising efforts in memory of her mum.

For the another year running, Louise Byrne has created a beautiful Christmas memory tree outside her home, inviting local people to hang baubles in remembrance of loved ones. 

Alongside this, Louise has once again raised vital funds for The Kirkwood, a charity close to her heart. Louise’s mum, Jennifer, died in 2018 following her battle with cancer. Louise has always been deeply thankful for the care and support The Kirkwood provided to her mum and her family during an incredibly difficult time.

Reflecting on that period, Louise said: “My mum was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. I was living in Australia at the time, but it was a comfort to know that The Kirkwood was caring for my mum back here in England. Mum used to come to support and therapy sessions on a Friday and she absolutely loved it.

When we came back to England and met the staff, they were all fantastic. I have a lot of respect for what The Kirkwood does and stands for.” In 2017, a year before Jennifer passed away, Louise and her family made sure she experienced a truly special final Christmas.

“The Christmas before mum died, we put lots of Christmas lights out to make it a really special time for her,” Louise said: “We used to get notes from local children saying how amazing our lights were, and since then we’ve put the lights out every year.”

Jennifer died in 2018 at the age of 70, after spending five weeks over Christmas on The Kirkwood’s In Patient Unit. Wanting to give something back, Louise decided to turn her festive displays into a way of supporting both the hospice and her local community.

What began as a simple tribute has grown year on year: “We started it all in memory of my mum,” Louise explained: “Doing this every year gives us a way to remember her, but also to turn that loss into something positive that helps other families.”

In 2022, Louise raised £1,200 through her memory tree. The following year, she introduced a coffee morning alongside the tree, raising £1,400 in 2023. This year, 2025, Louise has already beaten that figure once again continuing an upward trend driven entirely by community support, this year she has raised over £2,300. 

Speaking about the growth of the event, Louise said: “At first it was just the lights, but every year we’ve added a little bit more. It’s just grown naturally, and now it’s turned into something much bigger than I ever imagined.”

A key feature of the fundraising is the memory tree itself, decorated with handmade baubles created by Louise: “I make the baubles every year and I save the ones from previous years,” she said. “When people come back, they hang their own baubles on the tree, often with their children. It’s emotional, but it’s also really comforting.”

The coffee morning has become a highlight of the festive season, bringing people of all ages together: “People don’t just pop in,” Louise said: “They sit for hours. There are prams, young children, parents and 80-year-old ladies all in the same room. That’s what it’s really about, community.”

Louise also makes a point of personally covering all costs associated with the event.: “Everything for the coffee morning I pay for myself the refreshments, the baubles, the lucky bags for the children. Every single penny raised goes straight to the charity.”

Despite the incredible sums raised so far, Louise remains determined to do more: “I feel really proud of what we’ve raised, but I also feel like I want more. It never feels like enough when you know how much that support means to families. One day I’d love to be able to say I’ve raised £10,000 for The Kirkwood, that’s my aim.”

Louise is already planning ahead, with ideas forming for next year’s event as she continues to grow what has become a much loved local tradition.

“People tell me it’s one of their favourite things they do at Christmas,” she said. “That means everything to me.”

Everyone with The Kirkwood would like to thank Louise for her continued dedication, generosity, and for creating something so special that not only raises vital funds, but also brings people together to remember loved ones at the most meaningful time of year.