Dr Kershaws' Light Up a Life service raises almost £25k

Pictured (left to right) are: Rebecca Bentham, Kelly Foster, Adele Doherty, Dr Matthias Hohmann, Laura Thorley, Kat Harding and Mufti Helal Mahmmood, from Oldham Interfaith Forum

Each year, Dr Kershaw’s Light Up a Life service gives people the opportunity to remember their loved ones during the festive season, and to celebrate the lives of those who are no longer with us.

This year, Dr Kershaw’s were able to once again run their Light Up a Life in-person service at the Hospice, as well as live streaming the service for the third year running so people could watch in the comfort of their own homes.

The Hospice were overwhelmed by the support for their in-person and virtual services, and have announced that they received just under £24,500 from the community and beyond, in donations made in memory of loved ones.

The funds will enable the Hospice to provide dedicated care and support for a number of families across the borough of Oldham when they need it the most.

This year’s Light Up a Life event saw over 2,300 households tuning in to the virtual service and over 1,150 dedications made to loved ones.

The event, which was live streamed on the Hospice’s Facebook page, YouTube channel and on Oldham Community Radio, received a number of positive comments from those across the community, with one supporter saying: “Tonight’s service was truly beautiful, thank you for the love and care you gave to my mum and to so many others.”

Rebecca Bentham, Director of Income Development and Marketing and Hospice Light Up a Life Event Organiser, said: “We were delighted to see the return of our Light Up a Life in person event, and despite the rain we had a fantastic turn out.

"Members of the community came together to remember their loved ones within the Hospice grounds, and over 2,300 people tuned in virtually from around the globe.

"Light Up a Life is a special event, close to people’s hearts, and as such we received 1,155 dedications in memory of lost loved ones.

"Thank you to the community for supporting Light Up a Life, by attending or tuning into our service and by making a dedication for your loved ones.

"The wonderful amount raised will go towards helping more families, enabling us to continue to provide exceptional care for our patients.”

She added: “We would like to say a special thanks to everyone who supported this event including: Paul Firth and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice Choir, Peter Wakefield, St Joseph’s RC Junior Infant and Nursery School, Crompton House Church of England School, Oldham Community Radio, The Oldham Times, Oldham Interfaith Forum, Oldham Council, Christmas Plus, New Image PR, Bamford Print and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice staff and volunteers.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.