Last night’s Torchlight Procession saw over 1,000 people walking in memory of loved ones.
Last night, on Tuesday 26th November, over 1,000 people came out into the night for the St Barnabas Hospice Torchlight Procession. They walked shoulder-to-shoulder in memory of loved ones whilst carrying flaming torches.
The evening began at Our Lady of Lincoln Church, where around 200 people joined to remember loved ones and light a tealight in their memory. This was where the Light up a Life candle was officially lit. 
Richard Pullman, a local firefighter in Lincoln, was the first person to light his Torchlight Procession torch. He lit this from the Light up a Life candle at the church, and then proceeded to light the torches of 24 runners who carried this light to the start of the Procession at Clayton’s Sports Ground.
Richard’s fiancé, Rachael, sadly died age 24 after being cared for at the St Barnabas Hospice Inpatient Unit.
Sam Waterer, coordinator of the church celebration and Individual Giving Fundraiser at St Barnabas Hospice, said:
“Our Light up a Life service is a lovely way for people to remember loved ones for those who are unable to attend the Torchlight Procession or those who want to spend more of the night remembering.
“I’d like to say a particular thank you to Stuart who played the organ. He had his own personal reasons for attending the service and this showed in the beautiful way he played.”
Once the Procession began, over 1,000 walked just under a mile past the St Barnabas Hospice Inpatient Unit, through the iconic Bailgate and arrived at The Lincoln Hotel. A small service took place in which the Tree of Life and Lincoln Cathedral were lit up whilst the choir sang ‘May the Road Rise to Meet You’. The Cathedral was lit blue and yellow to honour the Hospice.
Louise Cotton, Event Lead for the Torchlight Procession, said:
“On behalf of everyone at St Barnabas Hospice, I would like to say what an amazing evening we had at this year’s Torchlight Procession. The community came together to remember loved ones in a beautiful way and the weather was perfect. 
“A huge thank you goes to all of our volunteers who supported the event in various ways and to the community for joining us. There was also an incredible amount of local businesses that offered their support. Thanks go to Doddington Hall & Gardens, Lincoln BIG, The Lincoln Hotel, Lincoln Cathedral, Our Lady of Lincoln Church, City of Lincoln Council Maintenance Services, Continental Landscapes, S. Lyon & Son Haulage Ltd., Britton Fabrications, BBC Radio Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire Police, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, the RAF Waddington Pipe Band, TSS Events, Annie Griffith and her community choir, Taylor Lindsey, Stamford Sound Hire, SRP, Bates Sound, Flying Hire, Davis Trackhire, Ruddocks, Lincolnshire 4×4, Lindum Rotary, Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School, St Mary Magdalene Church and Lindum Ladies Choir.
“The Tree of Life will be outside The Lincoln Hotel until the first week of January and we welcome members of the public to visit and spend a quiet moment remembering their loved one. We heard some amazing stories and there were some truly wonderful people being remembered last night.”
For those who were unable to attend the event, you can still dedicate a light on the Tree of Life. Visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/lual to dedicate a light in your loved one’s memory or to see the list of alternative Light up a Life celebration events.