St Barnabas Hospice are pleased to announce the return of their much-loved Light Up a Life campaign, along with the poignant Torchlight Procession.
Light Up a Life offers the community an opportunity to dedicate a light in the name of a loved one lost and to join together in remembrance. Anyone can dedicate a light, not just those affected by hospice care.
Once again, the St Barnabas Tree of Life has been kindly donated by Doddington Hall and local family business, S. Lyon & Son Haulage, continue their support by transporting the tree, to Lincoln Cathedral. The beautiful Tree of Life will take its place outside from mid-November until early January.
The continued support from the haulage business is poignant as they are honouring Sharon Lyon, who sadly passed away eleven years ago in the Hospice.
The Lyon family say: “When Sharon was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it was the worst news we could have imagined, and we will never know how she coped with it in such a brave dignified way. She died in St Barnabas Hospice in Lincoln, aged just 42. She is missed each day, and Christmas is always a lot quieter without her.”
“The care she received was first class, and nothing was too much trouble. Every member of staff showed love and care, not just to Sharon but also to all of us as a family. Their kindness touched our hearts and really made the whole unbearable situation easier.”
“Each year the Tree of Life with all its lights brings comfort to people of all ages. We know Sharon would have been so pleased that we continue to support the Hospice, as she took great pride in being part of the team to make the Tree of Life happen each year and it is our way of continuing her legacy.”
Join the Lyon family in dedicating a light to honour loved ones no longer with us. To do so, please visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/light-up-a-life.
On Tuesday 22nd November from 7:30pm, St Barnabas Hospice will be holding its touching annual Torchlight Procession, starting at Claytons Sports Ground. This unique and iconic celebration is in its 22nd year and is an opportunity for families and friends to join the charity in remembering the people that we love.
Before the Procession starts, the Hospice will host a virtual Light Up a Life service live from its website. It features touching readings, music, and time for quiet reflection. St Barnabas will also light candles in remembrance of our loved ones and invite you to do the same at home.
The transfer of light throughout the event is symbolic; a flaming torch is carried by runners from Our Lady of Lincoln Church where the pre-event remembrance service takes place, and this torch is subsequently used to light the procession torches.
Once all torches are lit, the procession will commence led by the RAF Waddington Pipe Band. The community will journey past the Hospice on Nettleham Road, pausing for a moment of reflection, before moving onto the Lincoln Cathedral. The event concludes with a service of celebration and reflection where the Tree of Life will be illuminated. 
Veronica McBain, Head of Fundraising and Lottery at St Barnabas, comments: “Each year it is such an emotional evening, seeing so many people walk together with torches and lanterns through the streets of Lincoln in remembrance of loved ones. Our stop at the Inpatient Unit is an incredibly moving moment that we know means a lot to our patients, many of whom gather outside with their families and our nurses.”
“We look forward to welcoming hundreds of people of all ages on the evening, including the Lyon family who will be heading up the Procession.”
Due to crowd management, pre-registration and pre-order of lanterns and torches is required. To register for the Torchlight Procession on 22nd November, visit https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/events/torchlight/
St Barnabas Hospice urges people who are unable to attend the Torchlight Procession to visit the Tree when they can for a moment of reflection of loved ones lost.