One Love concert choir to star at hospice event
MEMBERS of the Parrs Wood High School Choir, who performed at the One Love Manchester concert with Ariana Grande earlier this year, will be singing at a special service at Manchester Cathedral this December.
The choir will join hundreds of people from across Greater Manchester at the St Ann’s Light up a Life service on December 3, as part of the hospice’s annual appeal.
This year, the hospice will also be paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the terror attack at Manchester Arena, by including a light on their special Christmas tree in memory of each of the victims.
Eamonn O’Neal, chief executive of St Ann’s Hospice, explained: “Thousands of people have taken part in the Light up a Life appeal over the last twenty one years by dedicating an individual light on one of our Christmas trees across Greater Manchester in honour of their loved one.
“As a Manchester charity, we were all deeply affected by the tragic events that took place at Manchester arena, as was everyone across this amazing city.
“It was heart-breaking, and this year we also wanted to pay tribute to those who tragically lost their lives on that terrible evening. We’ll be including 22 lights on the tree to show that everyone at St Ann’s is thinking of each of them and their families.
“The Light up a Life services are always really moving and it’s incredible to see the lights on our trees and to know that each one represents someone very special.
“It’s overwhelming and humbling really and it’s something that staff, volunteers and our supporters always see as an important part of the hospice’s calendar of events.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to the Parrs Wood High School Choir for agreeing to sing this year and to the other choirs and speakers that will be attending the other Light up a Life services in December, at the Cathedral and our hospice sites in Little Hulton and Heald Green. There is also a special service at St Peter’s Church in Hale.”
St Ann’s Hospice operates from three sites in Little Hulton, Heald Green and the Neil Cliffe Centre in Wythenshawe Hospital, looking 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.