REMEMBER SOMEONE SPECIAL WITH NORTH DEVON HOSPICE'S LIGHT UP A LIFE APPEAL

Dedicate a star and make a donation in memory of someone you love this Christmas with Light Up a Life.

Christmas is a time when memories burn brightly, and when we can feel the absence of someone we love more than ever. This week, North Devon Hospice has launched its much-loved Light Up a Life appeal, inviting everyone across North Devon to dedicate a star in memory of someone special.

Whether you are remembering a parent, a partner, a child, a friend or someone else who holds a special place in your heart, Light Up a Life offers a meaningful way to remember them this Christmas. You don’t need to have any link to North Devon Hospice, because everyone has someone they wish they could spend one more Christmas with, and everyone is welcome to take part.

Each dedication will see a star bearing a loved one’s name hung on the Light Up a Life trees in Barnstaple Pannier Market, shining brightly alongside hundreds of other tributes. People can see their star in person at a special, free Christmas Concert on Thursday 17 December, when the community will come together to remember those who are no longer with us.

For Mike and Hayley Quinton-Tulloch, Light Up a Life is a treasured way to remember their daughter, Tabitha, known to everyone who loved her as Tabs. She was just 18 when she died, having been cared for by North Devon Hospice.

“Those eight days at the hospice obviously broke our hearts, but the amazing team there held us at the same time,” said Hayley. “They cared for Tabs with such kindness and dignity, and they supported our whole family too.”

The family will never forget the small acts of kindness that made such a difference during their time with Tabs at the hospice. A bed was made up beside her so they never had to leave her side, Tabs’ puppy Nala could visit whenever she liked, and a nurse even painted Tabs’ nails in her favourite colour.

Through Light Up a Life, her family can see her star shining alongside others. “We write her name on a star, alongside hundreds of other families who do the same, as they all understand what it means to miss someone so much,” said Mike. “It doesn’t take the grief away, but it makes it easier to carry. This Christmas, we’re asking you to make a dedication for someone you miss too. It only takes a moment, but it means everything. It’s a chance to say their name, remember them, and know you’re not carrying it alone.”

Dedicating a star is also a way to help other families facing some of the hardest moments of their lives. Every donation made through Light Up a Life supports the vital work of North Devon Hospice, helping local people and their families receive compassionate care and support when they need it most.

James Electrics Contracting and M&E Alarms are headline sponsors of this year’s appeal, with both companies expressing their pride in supporting such a vital cause at this time of year.

Aaron Heighton from James Electrics Contracting said: “Like many local families, the hospice has touched our lives recently, so we know how important their care is within our community. Christmas can be a difficult time, because whether you’ve lost someone recently or a long time ago, their absence is felt strongly at this time of year. So we hope everyone joins us, by remembering a loved one through Light Up a Life this year.”

Scott Masters from M&E Alarms added: “It’s our pleasure to support the Light Up a Life appeal, because everybody has someone they miss at this time of year, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community to remember them. We also know that every pound raised will make a real difference, to patients and families who will need the care and support of North Devon Hospice this Christmas.”

Robyn Tregaskes from North Devon Hospice said: "Every donation in memory will help local people this Christmas who are facing the end of their life. It means the hospice can wrap families up in our care, helping them to make precious memories, during what could be their last Christmas all together.”

She added, “You can join us at 6pm on 17 December, at Barnstaple Pannier Market, to see your star shining brightly at our free Christmas Concert. It’s a special time to enjoy some wonderful musical talent and festive food, while celebrating the memory of those who mean so much.”

To dedicate a star in memory of someone special this Christmas, visit northdevonhospice.org.uk/light. Everyone is welcome to take part, and the whole community is invited to the free Light Up a Life Christmas Concert at Barnstaple Pannier Market on Thursday 17 December, where people can see their star in person.