St Barnabas Hospice announce the return of their adored Light Up a Life appeal, along with the poignant Torchlight Procession, now in its 24th year. 

Light Up a Life offers the community an opportunity to reflect and remember a loved one, by dedicating a light in their name, to shine brightly on the St Barnabas Tree of Life outside Lincoln Cathedral. Anyone is welcome to dedicate a light, not just those affected by hospice care.

Dedications can be made online at the St Barnabas Hospice website. As a thank you, the charity will send a personalised card, which includes a memory tag for the Tree of Life, and a decoration to be displayed at home.

This year Suzanne Sheppard is dedicating a light to honour her beloved sister, Caroline, who sadly died in the Hospice in the summer of 2023.

Suzanne says: “Caroline’s cancer diagnosis turned our lives upside down. At the time she had only been married a couple of months.

“Initially she was treated with chemotherapy, followed by a hysterectomy with the hope of removing all the tumours. However, this was unsuccessful, and her treatment continued, with further chemotherapy and a number of clinical trials.”

At the very beginning of this journey, Caroline contacted St Barnabas, and both herself and her family began to benefit from their services.

Suzanne, sharing more about her experience with St Barnabas, says: “Caroline had counselling sessions as well as Hospice at Home support. In particular, her nurse Majella was amazing and became a new strength for Caroline, and us, when times were tough.

“I was also able to receive counselling, which was amazing at providing me with a better outlook on some of the difficult questions I had.

“In June 2023, Caroline was admitted to the St Barnabas Inpatient Unit in Lincoln.

“I would describe it as a place of care with such a warm, homely vibe and a great cup of tea.

“The Hospice staff and volunteers were amazing. I remember one day when she was quite weak, a volunteer had her laughing, and it was so lovely to see. All the team got her smiling even when she was at her lowest. They treated her with so much dignity and respect.”

Unfortunately, Caroline’s condition did not improve and she died on Monday 3rd January.

Suzanne says: “On the morning Caroline died, the Inpatient staff gave us the time and space we needed to be with her and gather our thoughts. 

“They lit a candle for her and another lady who had passed, and I found such comfort from that alone. They looked after her in more ways than I could have ever imagined.”

On Tuesday 19th November from 7:30 pm, St Barnabas Hospice will be holding its touching annual Torchlight Procession, kindly sponsored by HomeLet. Starting at Clayton Sports Ground, this unique and poignant celebration is an opportunity for the community to join the Hospice in remembering loved ones.

As the Procession starts, the Hospice will stream the event on their Facebook page for anyone unable to attend.

The transference of light throughout the event is symbolic; a flaming torch is carried by runners from our Inpatient Unit on Nettleham Road, and 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 Inpatient Unit, 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.

The St Barnabas Tree of Life will be adorned with dedicated lights and messages of love. For a small donation, participants are welcome to write a message on the evening and tie it to the tree in memory of a loved one lost.

This year, both the Lincoln Cathedral & the Church of St Mary Magdelene will be open following the Torchlight Procession. The St Barnabas Wellbeing Team will be available to provide additional support and a space of reflection for participants.

Suzanne says: “Our mother and I attended the Torchlight Procession last year, just before our first Christmas without Caroline. It was such a memorable event, and we found peace in sharing the experience with others who had lost a loved one.

“This Christmas, please join me in remembering your loved ones in a celebration of light. I am inviting you to dedicate your light for a loved one so they can shine brightly on St Barnabas Hospice’s beautiful Tree of Life outside Lincoln Cathedral.”

Due to crowd management, pre-booking is mandatory. To register for the Torchlight Procession on 19th November, visit https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/events/torchlight/. Registrations will close on Sunday 17th November, or when tickets have sold out.

St Barnabas Hospice urges people who are unable to attend the Torchlight Procession to visit the Tree of Life in their own time throughout the festive period, for a moment of reflection.