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.

Usually we would host countywide Light up a Life events, however this isn’t possible this year due to the ongoing pandemic. Light up a Life means so much to us at St Barnabas, as well as to all our supporters, so we have made sure that the coronavirus won’t disrupt it entirely…

We are honoured to be able to bring you all together with one extra special Light up a Life celebration this year. Join us from the comfort and safety of your own home on Tuesday 24th November at 7pm as we host our first ever virtual Light up a Life service and Torchlight Procession live from our website.

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. The virtual service 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.

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

Shining bright on the Tree of Life

This year our majestic 30ft Tree of Life will once again stand proudly outside Lincoln Cathedral. We encourage you to visit in your own time and spend a quiet moment reflecting as your loved one’s light shines brightly.

Unfortunately due to the coronavirus, we are unable to allow messages of love to be placed around the Tree of Life as would normally happen. Instead, we ask that you dedicate a light in memory of your loved one(s) and leave a tribute to them online.

You are welcome to visit the Tree of Life once lockdown is lifted until mid-January 2021. This is completely free to do.

Dedicate a light today

Experience the Torchlight Procession LIVE at home

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.

This year, join us for our virtual procession from the safety and comfort of your own home. Perhaps you might even like to video call other friends and family so you can experience this emotional moment together. We invite you to join in from wherever you are by lighting a candle of your own in memory of that special someone.

Share your pictures and special memories on social media by tagging us and using #StBLUAL

The virtual procession will feature Finlay from the RAF Waddington Pipe Band playing Amazing Grace outside the Hospice alongside our two torchbearers…

Richard Pullen, long-standing St Barnabas supporter and Light up a Life ambassador will be carrying a torch for his fiancé, Rachael, who sadly died in our care aged 24. Richard is sharing his story this year to help raise more money for our Hospice.

Anita Willoughby, Clinical Services Manager for St Barnabas will represent our nurses as she carries a torch in memory of all the patients we have cared for over the past 38 years.

Richard and Anita will walk the procession route to the west front of the Cathedral, where Canon John Patrick will bless our Tree of Life as it is lit. Each light will symbolise a loved one who is being remembered this year through our beautiful campaign.

To receive reminders about the virtual procession this year, fill in the form below.

Remind me

Richard’s Story

“Rachael was just 24 when doctors told her she had months to live. We had only got engaged the year before and moved into our first house, so the news hit us like a torpedo.

“Watching Rachael go downhill over the next few months simply broke my heart. Her confidence was shattered, and I felt helpless. This was when St Barnabas Hospice stepped in.

“Rachael moved into the Hospice in Lincoln at a point when we thought she had just days to live. I stayed every single night in the Hospice with her after the nurses kindly pushed two beds together so I could hold her as we slept.

“With St Barnabas’s help, Rachael reached a point where she could go on day trips and then eventually come home for a few days. Sadly, Rachael suffered a stroke whilst at home and the Hospice arranged for her to go straight back in for end-of-life care. The cancer was in her brain and the end was near. Rachael passed away on 11th February 2013.

“After losing Rachael, Light up a Life took on a whole new meaning for me. I found I could dedicate a light in her memory to shine brightly on the Tree of Life each year. Rachael was the light of my life every single day and this tribute seems so fitting.”

Read Richard’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's story
“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's story
“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's story
“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's story
“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's story

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 24th November at 7pm to watch our virtual Light up a Life celebration and Torchlight Procession from the comfort and safety of your own home.

Remind me
3

Visit the Tree of Life

Visit the Tree of Life outside Lincoln Cathedral in your own time once lockdown has ended, where you can spend a quiet moment reflecting.

Dedicate a light

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 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 RAF Waddington Pipe Band for playing Amazing Grace in our virtual Torchlight Procession.

Annie Griffith and her community choir

Thank you to Annie Griffith and her community choir for recording the beautiful 'May the Road Rise to Meet You' for our virtual event.

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.

Flying Hire Ltd.

Thank you to Flying Hire Ltd. for their generous donation towards our virtual event this year.

Richard Pullen and Rachael's family

Thank you to Richard Pullen and the family of his fiance, Rachael, for kindly sharing their story and photos with our supporters about such a wonderful lady.

Wallbreaker

Thank you to Wallbreaker 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.

Ruddocks

Thank you to the campaign's chosen print supplier, Ruddocks, for fantastic customer service as always.

All those who support our non-virtual event

Although times are very different right now, we want to reach out and say thank you to those businesses who would normally support our Light up a Life campaign and Torchlight Procession when they are mass participation events. We look forward to working with you again!

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