The lights of our lives remembered in a very special Christmas tradition
Jackie Stone recounts how St Columba’s Hospice helps families celebrate the memory of loved ones no longer with them
Christmasisallaboutcreating specialfamilytraditionsand building lasting memories, but for many people living with a terminal illness, this Christmas may be their last.
There is never a good time to lose someone that you love but the festive season can be a particularly challenging and emotional time of year to face such difficult news.
That’s why at St Columba’s Hospice, our staff and volunteers work hard to make sure we get it right for everyone in our care – enabling them to make the most of the time they have, with the people they love.
St Columba’s Hospice is a local charity providing palliative care and person-centred care across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
This year marks our 40th anniversary and we remain committed to supporting each and every person as an individual, in the way that suits them.
Our specialist team works closely with other health and social care providers to accommodate people’s wishes, and at Christmas, this becomes even more important to families.
Each year we host an incredibly special event – our Light Up A Life Christmas gathering.
Amid the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh’s city centre, and nestled in Charlotte Square Gardens, you will find our Tree of Remembrance standing tall. Beneath it, community carol singers bring warmth to the crowd as spectators wait for the sky to be illuminated with the sparkling lights of our tree.
Indecemberlastyear,wewelcomed more than 2000 people to the lighting ceremony, which brings the whole community together and offers everyone the chance to reflect and remember loved ones who are no longer with us.
Families and visitors to the hospice often comment on the calm, open and reflective atmosphere of our building and grounds.
We try to bring something of this atmosphere to our event in Charlotte Square Gardens, and it has become a time when people can chat, reminisce and remember. As in the hospice itself, there’s also laughter and joy as fond memories and stories are shared.
For four decades, our Light Up A Life appeal has been a staple in the diaries not only of our supporters, but also our service users and their families.
The idea behind the ceremony is simple:joinusinturningonthelights of our Christmas tree and dedicate one of those shimmering lights to a loved one.
Accompanying donations directly help us to provide invaluable support and care to families all year round, both in the hospice itself and across the community.
Many people who come along will have lost a loved one – often a relative or friend who died in the hospice or at home under our care.
They all come to our lighting ceremony to reflect, and to support our work with people who have life-limiting conditions and their families.
However, Light Up A Life is for everyone, not only for the patients and families we have helped.
Last year, almost 2500 people dedicated a light on the tree in memory of a loved one.
It’s a small but meaningful gesture to show that, even though that person is no longer with us, they live on in our hearts.
The lighting ceremony is also a chance for us to give back to everybody who has supported us throughout the year and to share information about our services with anyone who would like to know more.
We warmly invite you to mark the start of Christmas and take part in our Light Up A Life Appeal by dedicating a light on the Tree of Remembrance to celebrate the lives of loved ones.
Every person who joins us will be creating special memories of their own and it helps us to build on this important community tradition, one which we hope will be
here in 40 years to come. St Columba’s Hospice will be lighting up the Tree of Remembrance on Monday 11 December at 6.30pm in Charlotte Square Gardens, Edinburgh.
Spectators can arrive from 5.30pm to enjoy a hot drink and community carol singing. Make a dedication in memory of your loved one today by visiting www. stcolumbashospice.org.uk/ lightupalife or you can give our fundraising team a call on 0131 551 1381. Jackie Stone, chief executive, St Columba’s Hospice.