Sue remembers her beloved husband Alan with precious Light Up a Life dedication

Sue Baker’s husband, Alan, aged 66, was fit and well, enjoying retirement and his passions of golf and watching Manchester City FC, before a routine bowel screening changed his and his family’s lives forever.

Alan was diagnosed with a grade one tumour which was removed and treated with chemotherapy.

Eighteen months later, just before Christmas, Sue and Alan were on holiday with their grandchildren when they received the devastating call that the cancer had spread, and was in his bowel, liver, and blood.

Despite more chemotherapy and a stent, the family were told there was nothing else the doctors could do and in June 2023, Alan was admitted to Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.

Before Alan sadly passed away on July 29, the couple made many precious memories, facilitated by the Hospice Team, from a special afternoon tea on their anniversary to an unforgettable visit from Manchester City FC’s treble trophies.

Since experiencing incredible care from the Hospice Team for husband, Alan, Sue has been supporting Dr Kershaw’s.

Last Christmas, Sue made a Light Up a Life dedication in Alan’s name, and with the Hospice’s annual Appeal launching again,

Sue is now encouraging others to make a dedication, to remember their loved ones whilst raising funds to care for more families across the local community.

Sue said: “Last year was the first Christmas without Alan and I made a Light Up a Life dedication in his name.

"Christmas is a time when family and friends come together, I miss Alan every day but his absence is felt even more during the festive period.

"Light Up a Life is uplifting, the service last year was poignant, the school choir was just beautiful and it meant so much that some of the nurses who cared for Alan were stood up there doing the readings.

"When the tree lit up it felt very special, and coming together at the Hospice helped me feel closer to Alan.

"My Light Up a Life dedication brought me comfort and I was able to remember the special memories of Alan.

"Light Up a Life is a way to remember but also a way to raise vital money for such an incredible place.

"At such a sad time in people’s lives, the Dr Kershaw’s Team treat you like their own family, they don’t just look after their patients, but their families too, the nurses were even there for our grandchildren.

"I will be supporting Light Up a Life again this year, remembering my precious times with Alan and would encourage others to make a dedication too, to remember their loved ones and to support such an incredible hospice.”

This year’s Light Up a Life Appeal is kindly supported by ROMA Fundraising.

The multi-faith service, taking place virtually and in-person at the Hospice on Sunday, December 1 at 5pm, offers the community and those from further afield, the opportunity to remember their loved ones and to celebrate the lives of those who are no longer with us, but are always in our thoughts.

This year’s service will follow its traditional format, allowing people from all over the borough to make a dedication in the form of a shining light on the dedication tree which is situated within the Hospice, whilst also supporting future patients and their families when they need Dr Kershaw’s help the most.

If you attend the Hospice’s in-person service, you will also receive a personalised dedication card with your loved ones name(s) along with a cut-out candle to personalise and hang somewhere special to you.

You will also receive an Order of Service at the event.

Adele Doherty, Dr Kershaw’s Chief Executive, added: “It means so much to us each year to invite you into the Hospice for our Light Up a Life service to come together and support one another, in remembrance and celebration of our loved ones.

"Thank you, your support helps us to continue supporting our patients in the Hospice and in the community.”

You can pre-order your 2024 Light Up a Life round and angel baubles via Dr Kershaw’s website when you make your dedication, and the Hospice will have your bauble/s ready for you to collect at their Light Up Life service.

They will also be available to purchase from the hospice’s reception from mid-October.

To dedicate a light at the Hospice’s 2024 Light Up a Life service please go to: www.drkh.org.uk/LightUpaLife, complete a form in one of the Hospice’s five shops or call the hospice’s fundraising team on 0161 624 9984.

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