Light up a Life with St Barnabas Hospice

Light up a Life

Dedicate a light in memory of a loved one

We invite you to dedicate a light this Christmas, and allow someone’s memory to shine brightly on our Tree of Life outside Lincoln Cathedral. You can remember anyone, not just those cared for by the Hospice.

Here at St Barnabas Hospice, we are proud that our Light Up A Life appeal is in its 24^th year. Every donation for a light pays for more people to receive specialist end-of-life care, and more families to receive bereavement support during the most difficult times.

Our Tree of Life is illuminated during the festive period, and was officially switched on at our Torchlight Procession. If you dedicate your light on or before 20th December, we will send a personalised card, a memory tag for the Tree of Life, and a decoration for you to display in your own home.

Dedicate your light

The Torchlight Procession

Our Torchlight Procession took place on 19th November 2024, a breathtaking event which is unique to our Hospice and our county.

Our annual Torchlight Procession is an opportunity for families and friends to join together and honour their loved ones. At this popular event, over 1500 people walk the historic streets of Lincoln with torches lit in remembrance.

This poignant procession took place on Tuesday 19^th November 2024, is a short walk to the Cathedral, past the Hospice on Nettleham Road. Thank you to everyone who joined.

Suzanne's Story

This Christmas will be another without my sister, but it warms my heart to have a light shining brightly in her memory.

My sister, Caroline, was a strong, independent and career-driven woman. The oldest of three of us, she was the devoted boss of the family. She loved to spend time gardening, baking and seeing live music. Soon after getting married, Caroline received a cancer diagnosis which turned our lives upside down. At the very beginning of this journey, she contacted St Barnabas Hospice, and we all benefitted from their support.

Caroline had counselling sessions as well as Hospice at Home care. Her nurse, Majella, was amazing and became a new strength for my sister and the whole family when times were tough. Caroline was later admitted to the Inpatient Unit, which always had a warm, homely atmosphere and a great cup of tea. The Hospice staff and volunteers were amazing. All the team got her smiling, even when she was at her lowest. They treated Caroline with so much dignity and respect, and looked after her in more ways than I could have ever imagined.

When Caroline died, the nurses lit a candle for her and I found such comfort from that alone. This Christmas, you can join me in a similar gesture, honouring your loved ones in a celebration of light.

Read the full story

More touching stories

A young man and a women, sat on a sofa, within their home. Being held by the man is a picture of a woman, his mother.

“Philly's final month with us provided endless moments of laughter, deep reflection, and the incredible gift of goodbye. St Barnabas' care allowed us one last miracle period and we will be forever grateful. ”
Finn Dillon

“The whole process of losing my dad was heartbreaking, but the staff at St Barnabas Hospice made the worst time so much easier. The only way to describe the nurses at the Hospice are literal angels. ”
Sophie Butcher

“When Pete passed away, a St Barnabas nurse was with me within five minutes. They look after you and you feel part of their family. They kept me going and I couldn’t have managed without them.”
Ann Gregory

“John was at the Hospice when the Torchlight Procession took place. 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

Members, of the Lyon family, together at Lincoln Cathedral, holding photographs of Sharon, who was cared for by the hospice before she passed away.

“Every member of staff showed love and care not just to Sharon but also to us as a family. Their kindness touched our hearts and really made the whole unbearable situation easier.”
The Lyon's Family

“Christine only received care from St Barnabas for one day, but they really did make such a difference in her final hours. Two years on, they are still making a difference to me. They even send a card on the anniversary of Christine’s passing.”
Terry Wright

“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. I always buy a Christmas candle which we light for her.”
Caroline Swindin

“When I spoke to mum, who volunteered in the Inpatient Unit for 25 years, she said “I want to go to St Barnabas; I want to be with my second family.” It meant absolutely everything to her that she could spend her last few days there. ”
Steve Norton

How to participate

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

Book the Torchlight Procession

Join us on the 19th November and walk alongside others, carrying flaming torches in memory of loved ones.

Purchase your ticket

The people behind this project…

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

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

Thank you to local letting agents, HomeLet, for their generous support towards our Torchlight Procession 2024.

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

Thank you to the Royal Air Force Waddington Pipe Band for their continuous support in playing at and leading our Torchlight Procession.

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

Thank you to Lincoln Christ's Hospital School for providing car parking for The Torchlight Procession.

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

Thank you to G Wootton Tree Services, established forestry contractors for supporting with our tree removal.

Thank you to The Tower Hotel for providing soup and mulled wine at The Torchlight Procession.

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

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

Thank you to Davis Trackhire, the UK’s Largest Independent Suppliers of Aluminium Trackway, for providing pedestrian walkways and ground protection.

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