Almost £50,000 was raised for St Ann’s Hospice through its 2024 annual Light up a Life appeal.
St Ann’s Hospice’s annual Light Up a Life appeal includes in the opportunity for family and friends to leave dedications to loved ones on the virtual winter forest. They can write messages of love and remembrance on the baubles and lights of the online Christmas trees.
The hospice also hosted six services to remember loved ones who have died and for many, who were cared for by the hospice. Three of these services were held in Manchester Cathedral on the same day.
Each of the six services included fabulous performances from choirs across Greater Manchester, a poem read by St Ann’s clinical team members, and beautiful words of remembrance from our supporters.
Paul Bottomley spoke to remember his dad, Martin who died at the hospice. He said: “St Ann’s Hospice has become a safe space, a place where we can remember Dad. They have supported us long after he died, and we will forever be grateful for all they did for him during the last few weeks of his life.”
Lisa Warbrook spoke at our second service at Manchester Cathedral about the care provided by St Ann’s for her mum Barbara. She said: “As a family we have developed a deep connection with St Ann’s Hospice as they provided exceptional care to my mum. Her diagnosis left us feeling lost and uncertain about what would happen next, but during her stay at the hospice she referred to it as St Ann’s Hotel, which gave me great comfort.
“I was able to reconnect with my mum as her daughter, not a carer. St Ann’s provided unwavering support to my mum and our family. I will never be able to fully pay back what they have done to help my mum, but it has been a privilege to talk to you today.”
Deborah Major spoke about her husband Karl saying: “As soon as we arrived at St Ann’s Hospice I knew we had made the right decision and the team were incredible. I will never forget the tenderness and care of all of the staff and the support they gave to my sons Charlie and Matthew and I.”
The additional three services were held at the St Ann’s Hospice sites in Heald Green and Little Hulton and St Peter’s Church in Hale.
At the services, guests lit candles and wrote special messages on baubles to hang on the Christmas tree at Manchester Cathedral.
In-Memory and Legacy Fundraiser at St Ann’s Hospice, Heather Bennett commented on the services.
“We’ve had six amazing services over the course of a week, and I genuinely hope that these services have brought a real sense of comfort and strength to all our supporters. It means so much to us at St Ann’s that families and loved ones can remember those who have died at this time of year and also be able to support the continued work of the hospice. Thank you for your incredible support in helping us raise nearly £50,000 for the Hospice,” she said.
So far, a total of £47,449.02 was raised over the course of the St Ann’s Hospice Light up a Life campaign with more donations still being finalised.