School choir perform at cathedral service
SINGERS from the Parrs Wood High School choir, who performed at the One Love Manchester concert with Ariana Grande earlier this year, joined hundreds of local people for a special service in Manchester cathedral.
The Light up a Life service, which was organised by St Ann’s Hospice as part of its annual appeal, saw people from across Greater Manchester gather together to make a very special Christmas dedication to loved ones, with tributes also being paid to the victims of this year’s terrorist attack in the city.
Eamonn O’Neal, chief executive of St Ann’s, said: “We have been holding our Light up a Life appeal for 21 years, and thousands of people have taken part in that time by dedicating a light on our special Christmas trees to someone they can’t be with at Christmas.
“Like all people who live in this great city, we were all deeply affected by the tragic events that took place at Manchester Arena earlier this year, and we decided to also pay tribute to those who tragically lost their lives that terrible evening by dedicating a light on our Christmas tree in honour of each of them.
“The service was incredibly moving, and to see the lights shining and know each one represents someone very special is amazing. What was also amazing was to see the people of Greater Manchester coming together to remember, but also celebrate the lives of those who can’t be with us at this special time of year.
“Parrs Wood High School choir were fantastic, and I’d like to thank them, and the other choirs and speakers who took part in the services on the day.
“We also hold similar events at our hospice sites in Heald Green and Little Hulton, and at St Peter’s Church in Hale, and we couldn’t do so without the support from people in our local communities.”
St Ann’s Hospice operates from three sites in Little Hulton, Heald Green and the Neil Cliffe Centre in Wythenshawe Hospital looks after thousands of patients every year with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses – managing their symptoms, providing support, caring for people at the hospice or at home, and providing end of life care. »●For more information on the support St Ann’s can offer, or if you would like to dedicate a light to someone special, please call St Ann’s Hospice on 0161 498 3631 or visit www.sah.org.uk/light.