WATCH: First three Light Up a Life services held at Manchester Cathedral
Read below and watch our video from our first three Light Up a Life services
The first of three Moya Cole Hospice Light Up a Life services took place at Manchester Cathedral on Sunday.
The atmospheric and emotional services are held by the hospice each year as a way of remembering those we have lost in our lives. The services involve lighting a candle in dedication to a loved one who has died.
Each service was led by our Chaplain Support Coordinator, Peter O’Brien and all the services had a different story about the work and the care at Moya Cole Hospice.
Video by Cathal Doherty and Lauren Kingsley
Steph Darbyshire was the speaker at the first service at 1pm. She spoke about the care that her son Nicholas received at our Little Hulton hospice.
“I have been asked by Moya Cole Hospice to speak about why the hospice means so much to me,” Steph said.
Moya Cole Hospice will forever be a special place in my heart and in my life. The care, compassion, and dedication during the three months that Nicholas was in their care was outstanding Steph Darbyshire, Moya Cole Hospice Supporter
Mark Heil was the speaker at the second service at 2.30pm and he detailed the care that his wife, Helen received at the hospice during her illness and at the end of her life.
“I am a proud ambassador for Moya Cole Hospice,” Mark said. “When Helen was first admitted into Heald Green, just the mention of the word “hospice” filled our hearts with absolute fear and trepidation.
On a personal level, I was thinking how could I do this to my wife, I was letting her down. Within a short period of entering the hospice, I felt a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and the responsibility of care had been shared, and we had made the correct decision Mark Heil, Moya Cole Hospice Supporter
Margaret Tait was the speaker at the third and final service at 4pm. She spoke about her time as a volunteer chaplain at the hospice and how it meant so much to her.
It has been my privilege and pleasure to be involved with hospice care for so many years, and I continue to be involved for as long as I can. Although I am no longer active within the hospice as a chaplain, Phil [Margaret’s husband] and I make a regular monthly donation... this is the way in which I can still feel part of the hospice family in the present and the future Margaret Tait, Moya Cole Hospice Supporter
A tree lighting ceremony also takes place, and attendees are given card baubles so they can write a dedication to someone they love and place them hanging on the tree.
Light Up a Life is one of the hospice’s flagship events and appeals of the year. Every donation made means that we can continue to provide the very best care to our patients and their families.
A Light Up a Life service took place in Little Hulton on Monday and two more will be taking place this week. One at St Peter’s Church, Hale on Wednesday, December 11 at 7pm and one at the Heald Green hospice on Thursday, December 12 at 7pm.
You are welcome to donate by leaving a dedication on our Winter Forest. Click here to find out more.