AROUND 800 people gathered together for Phyllis Tuckwell’s annual Light up a Life service, a special and poignant event which is held to remember those close to our hearts who are no longer with us and celebrate their lives.

The service was held outside the hospice on the evening of Monday, November 27, and all present gathered around the hospice Christmas tree, as the lights were switched on during the service to represent the lives of those special people to whose memory the evening was dedicated.

Readings, carols and prayers helped those present to remember the special times they had with their loved ones and reflect on fond memories, and afterwards many of those present added to the tree’s lights, hanging glowsticks from its branches and leaving tea lights underneath it, in memory of their loved ones.

“We would like to thank all those who attended our Light up a Life service to celebrate the lives of those loved ones who are no longer with us” said Fiona Chapman, events fundraiser at Phyllis Tuckwell.

“We hope that the evening was a special and memorable one for you all.

“We are also very grateful to all of our volunteers who helped us organise the evening, the nearby schools who provided parking spaces and South Farnham School who also kindly offered their school hall so that those who came along could enjoy tea and mince pies together after the service.

“Our thanks also go to Redfields Garden Centre who kindly donated our Christmas tree and to Anchor Keble Court for sponsoring the cost of the glowsticks.

“Finally a big thank you to the retailers who generously donated the mince pies: Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Spa – they were all delicious!”