Celebrate Absent Friends

Dedications are now coming in thick and fast for Willow Wood’s annual Light Up A Life campaign where we join with our community to celebrate the lives of those no longer with us.

Open to everyone, whether or not you have been touched by Hospice Care, this year we have an online Book of Memories where, for the first time, you can leave a personal message to remember loved ones. This Book will remain on our website throughout the coming year, with dedications available for viewing on your special days.

A printed copy will be placed in our multi-faith prayer room to coincide with our Winter Fete on 17 November and will be updated as further dedications are received. An ideal opportunity to peruse these would be during one of our Garden of 1,000 Lights open evenings every Tuesday and Thursday from this date until 20 December. The Book of Memories will also be available at our two celebration carol services.

As Willow Wood chaplain Eddy Inglis said: “Every year people come to me to say just how much it means to them and how much comfort they get from our services. Like Willow Wood itself, Light Up A Life is for everyone”. The Glossop service, on 4 December and the Tameside service, on 9 December both feature a brass band, children’s choir, carols and, of course, the dedication of the Tree of Lights and are always emotional yet uplifting and joyous.

Chris Hayden, event organiser said: “We’d like to give as many people as possible the opportunity to dedicate a light to remember loved ones, it really is a wonderful way to honour their memory. To help us reach those who may not have heard of Light Up A Life, we’d be so grateful for help in taking information out to our community. If you could place some information leaflets and a poster at your community group, your place of worship, work or social group it could really help bring people together to find some solace at this very special time of year”.

If you could help in this way, please contact Chris on 0161 330 7788 or chris.hayden@willowwood.org.uk. If you would like to make a dedication this can be done here or alternatively collect a dedication leaflet from our shops or reception.