We are asking you to dedicate a light in memory of someone special this Christmas.

“Christmas is a time for family. If you have lost someone, that’s when you notice the empty chair or the present you aren’t buying. Remembering that person with a light will help you through a difficult time of year, whilst enabling St Barnabas Hospice to care for those most vulnerable.”

We are asking you to dedicate a light in memory of someone special this Christmas time. Your loved one’s light will join thousands of others on our beautiful Tree of Life which stands proudly outside Lincoln Cathedral each year.

We are honoured to be able to bring our supporters together with one extra special Light up a Life celebration this year. Join us online on Tuesday 23rd November at 7pm as we host a virtual Light up a Life service live from our website. It will feature touching readings, music and time for quiet reflection. We will also light candles in remembrance of our loved ones and invite you to do the same at home.

For those of you wanting to do something in person to remember their loved one, we are delighted to let you know that the Torchlight Procession is back for 2021! Join hundreds of others on Tuesday 23rd November as we walk to the Cathedral carrying flaming torches in memory of loved ones. If you plan to join us for this event, please visit StBarnabasHospice.co.uk/events/torchlight to register.

Light up a Life is a unique celebration. It is a special time for families and friends to join together and remember loved ones at such a difficult time of year.

Please remember that Light up a Life is for everyone who has experienced loss, not just those who have been affected by hospice care.

Dedicate your light Join our Torchlight Procession

Shining bright on the Tree of Life

This year our majestic 30ft Tree of Life will once again stand proudly outside Lincoln Cathedral. 

If you can’t make the Torchlight Procession, or you would just like to go at another date, we encourage you to visit in your own time and spend a quiet moment reflecting as your loved one’s light shines brightly.

Seeing the tree is completely free.

Dedicate a light today

Experience the Torchlight Procession

The Torchlight Procession is a unique and iconic celebration for Lincolnshire, and an opportunity for families and friends to join together in remembering loved ones.

Our Torchlight Procession is returning for 2021. The Torchlight procession is a poignant event held in Lincoln that sees hundreds of people, young and old, walk to the Cathedral carrying flaming torches in memory of loved ones. In order to remain COVID secure, if you wish to take part in the procession, you must sign up before November 21st 2021.

Join our Torchlight Procession

Steve's Story

“Mum had volunteered for St Barnabas since 1994, working on the Inpatient Unit in Lincoln to support patients and families with cups of tea, friendly smiles and a listening ear during tough times. Many years into this role, my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer and also spent time at this wonderful sanctuary receiving care. 

“After Dad died, Mum carried on volunteering, determined to make a difference wherever she could. But then last year, during the height of the pandemic, I drove her to hospital for some blood tests after she fell ill at home. 

“It was so hard watching them wheel her inside without me, but nothing compared to the feeling when the hospital called me and told me she had cancer and it was terminal. I also found out that she had tested positive for coronavirus. It is difficult enough to hear that you are going to lose a parent, but to not even be able to hug and reassure her was devastating. 

“When I spoke to her, she said “I want to go to St Barnabas; I want to be with my second family.” I made the relevant calls and her colleagues did the rest, giving her a private room to ensure the safety of other patients from the virus. It meant absolutely everything to her that she could spend her last few days there, I can’t thank the nurses enough for all they did. 

“The year before she died, Mum was asked to share Dad’s story as part of the Hospice’s Light up a Life campaign, and this made her so proud. I feel humbled to now be sharing Mum’s story this year and will be dedicating two extra special lights to remember them both.”

Read Steven’s full story

More touching stories

“John was at the Hospice when the Torchlight Procession took place that year. I remember going outside as hundreds of families came past with torches lit for loved ones. Nurses and patients came outside, and the doors were left open so that other patients on the ward, like my John, could still hear the pipe band.”
Margaret Norton
“Steph tried explaining to him that she was poorly and that one day she would have to go to heaven in the sky, where she would be a shining star. After Steph had died, I found Jack sat outside picking daisies and throwing them to the sky. I asked what he was doing and he told me he was throwing them to “Mummy in the sky."”
Jack Covill-Lowndes
“Every year at Christmas, I’d go round to Mum’s house and we would wrap all the presents. I don’t remember a year when we didn’t decorate the tree together, and she always made sure to hang some special chocolates with her grandsons. To remember Mum, I always buy a Christmas candle which we light for her.”
Caroline Swindin
“I know that Christine only received care from St Barnabas for one day but they really did make such a difference in her final hours, and two years on, they are still making a difference to me. The wonderful Hospice at Home nurses have been in regular contact and even send a card on the anniversary of Christine’s passing.”
Terry Wright
“We received some amazing help from the Hospice, and because they enabled Dad to stay at home during his last month, the whole family were able to be with him when he died. My dad has always loved the outdoors. One of our family traditions is to visit the Lake District and go to the place where his ashes are scattered.”
Jacob Swift

How to participate

1

Dedicate a light

Dedicate a light in memory of a loved one, which will shine brightly on the Tree of Life outside Lincoln Cathedral with thousands of others.

Dedicate your light
2

Watch online

Join us on 23rd November at 7pm to watch our virtual Light up a Life celebration from the comfort and safety of your own home.

Tune in onto this webpage 7pm 23/11
3

Join the Torchlight Procession

Join us on 23rd November at 7pm as we walk alongside hundreds of people, young and old, walk to the Cathedral carrying flaming torches in memory of loved ones.

Join our Torchlight Procession

The people behind this project…

The Birch family at Doddington Hall & Gardens

Thank you to Doddington Hall & Gardens and the Birch family who have now donated our Tree of Life for over 20 years!

The Subdean and Chapter of Lincoln Cathedral

Thank you to the Subdean and Chapter of Lincoln Cathedral for blessing and hosting our Tree of Life.

Our Lady of Lincoln Church

Thank you to Our Lady of Lincoln Church for once again hosting our beautiful, virtual Light up a Life service.

RAF Waddington Pipe Band

Thank you to the Royal Air Force Waddington Pipe Band for your continuous support by playing at our Torchlight Procession.

Annie Griffith and her community choir

Thank you to Annie Griffith and her community choir for performing at the Lincoln Cathedral at out Torchlight Procession.

S Lyon and Son Haulage

Thank you to S Lyon and Son Haulage for once again collecting our Tree of Life to bring to Lincoln Cathedral.

City of Lincoln Council Maintenance Services

Thank you to City of Lincoln Council Maintenance Services for putting up and taking down the Tree of Life once again.

Continental Landscapes

Thank you to Continental Landscapes for putting up and taking down the Tree of Life once again.

Taylor Lindsey Ltd.

Thank you to Taylor Lindsey Ltd. for your continuous support in allowing us to use Claytons Sports Ground again this year.

Flying Hire Ltd.

Thank you to Flying Hire Ltd. for their generous donation of lighting equipment to support out Torchlight Procession.

Steve Norton and family

Thank you to Steve Norton and his family, for kindly sharing their story and photos with our supporters about Margaret and John Norton.

Epix Media

Thank you to Epix media for producing some incredibly moving footage to ensure our virtual event is one to remember.

Root Studio

Thank you to Root Studio for creating this fantastic web page to bring our Light up a Life campaign to life this year.

DPS Digital

Thank you to the campaign's chosen print supplier, DPS digital, for fantastic customer service and quality.

Top