Light up a Life

Local people are being invited to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones at a special community event this winter.

Saint Michael’s Light up a Life offers people the opportunity to dedicate a light on the charity’s Christmas tree in memory of someone who can’t be with them this Christmas.

The lights will be illuminated during two community events to be held at Saint Michael’s Hospice and at Ripon Cathedral this December.

One person who will be taking part in Light up a Life this year is grandmother of four, Dot Mclean.

Dot, a home care worker, will dedicate a light to remember her daughter Caroline Leddy who died at Saint Michael’s in October 2010, seven years after being diagnosed with malignant melanoma.

The life of mother of two, Caroline Leddy, will be remembered and celebrated at this year's Light up a Life

Caroline, a mother of two from Pateley Bridge, died aged just 39.
Dot said:

“Caroline was full of life, she was so kind and caring and it was heartbreaking to watch my lovely daughter lose her battle with cancer. Her illness devastated our close-knit family but we were thankful to be able to stay with her in her room at Saint Michael’s in the last days of her life. The staff were fantastic, they couldn’t do enough for her, and for us.

“Christmas is hard without Caroline, but I take comfort in attending the beautiful Light up a Life service. It is important for me to go back to Saint Michael’s and remember and celebrate her life – it’s a mark of respect to Caroline, my lass.”

The dedicated lights will be illuminated at one of two special community events, the first on Sunday December 9 at Saint Michael’s Hospice, Harrogate and the second taking place on Sunday December 16 at Ripon Cathedral.

Saint Michael’s make no charge for the dedications, although all donations are gratefully received.  Donations from last year’s event totalled £41,000 including Gift Aid.

All donations from this appeal will help the Harrogate-based charity ensure more local people get the care and support they need to live their last years, months and days with choice, respect and dignity.

You can dedicate a light online, or call Saint Michael’s on (01423) 879 687 and we’ll send you a dedication form.