Phyllis Tuckwell Lights Up To Remember Loved Ones This Christmas

Over 350 people attended Phyllis Tuckwell’s annual Light up a Life service this year, gathering together to remember loved ones who have died and reflect on fond memories of special times they spent together.

The service took place on the evening of Sunday 5th December, and was held around the Christmas tree in the Hospice grounds once again, after last year being livestreamed from outside Guildford Cathedral due to Covid restrictions. It followed the theme of ‘stars’, with a light display of stars projected onto the Hospice building. The Mayor of Farnham attended, along with Chris Tuckwell, son of Phyllis and Edward Tuckwell, who read the prayers. Before and after the service, mulled wine and mince pies were served, and during the service the lights on the Hospice’s Christmas tree were switched on, to represent the lives of those special people to whose memory the service was dedicated. The event was livestreamed again this year, and many people watched it from their comfort of their own homes. It was also recorded, so anyone who could not be part of it on the night, or who wanted to see it again, could watch it at a later date.

Many people made a dedication in memory of their loved one, and had their names added to the evening’s Order of Service booklet. In addition to this, their names were also projected onto Guildford Cathedral, alongside an image of a giant Christmas tree, on the evening of Tuesday 7th December, and over 150 people visited the cathedral to view the names.

“It was really lovely to able to welcome people back to the Hospice for our Light up a Light service this year,” said Sarah Church, Chief Executive at Phyllis Tuckwell. “We were also pleased to be able to make it accessible for those who couldn’t attend, by livestreaming it again. We would like to say a big thank you to Farnham Brass Band and Kindred Spirits Choir, who provided the beautiful music at the service, and to Guildford Cathedral for allowing us to project the names of the loved ones being remembered onto the outside of the cathedral again this year.”

Although the service was free to attend, donations made in memory of a loved one and given on the evening raised over £40,000, all of which will go directly towards helping fund the important care that Phyllis Tuckwell provides. £40,000 could pay for over a year’s care from one of Phyllis Tuckwell’s Hospice Care at Home Nurses, who visit patients who have chosen to spend their last days in the comfort of their own homes.

If you were unable to attend the service and would like to watch it, the recording is available to view on Phyllis Tuckwell’s website, at www.pth.org.uk/lual2021