Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Hospice campaign at anniversary milestone
LightUpALifereturns
St Andrew’s Hospice is preparing for its festive Light Up A Life campaign – which is this year marking its silver anniversary.
It allows supporters of the Airdrie charity to sponsor lights on Christmas trees at 32 locations across Lanarkshire, in memory or in honour of loved ones.
For each light, a handwritten, personalised card is then left to a person of the donor’s choice to let them know that they are being thought of – with the special task being taken on by dedicated volunteers Millie Crawley, Eleanor Higgins and Mary Docherty.
They have volunteered for the festive task for a combined total of 44 years and have written “hundreds of thousands” of cards, including those destined for addresses as far afield as the United States, Canada, Singapore and New Zealand.
Eleanor said: “Every card is important, and they all touch you in different ways. It’s so important that we get every card right as we don’t want to make any mistakes.”
Millie added: “The reason I do it is that I feel I’m giving something back for the care my mum received in the hospice. I feel like I’m making a difference to people.”
Community development coordinator Andrew Flynn said: “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who supports our Light Up A Life campaign, which for 25 years has been providing comfort to people who know there is a light shining brightly for their loved one.
“We’d like to thank Millie, Eleanor and Mary for their dedication; and our thanks also go to Mears who have supported the campaign since 2012.”
The hospice will hold a gathering to light its tree and remember loved ones on December 2, at 7pm in its Henderson Street grounds.
To sponsor a light, visit the hospice or its shops, see www. st-andrews-hospice.com or call 01236 766951.