LIGHTS to illuminate thousands of memories will be switched on in a deeply moving, yet joyous, ceremony at Wirral's St John's Hospice tomorrow (Thursday) evening . . .

Another huge gathering is expected to witness the official start of this year's 'Light Up a Light for a Loved One' Christmas appeal - and the advice to everyone is to arrive as early as possible for the 7pm ceremony.

Police will be on hand to control traffic, but organisers are strongly urging people, if at all possible, to either share transport or travel by bus.

A short carol service, starting at 7pm and led by the Salvation Army Band, will be held in the gardens of the Hospice, next to Clatterbridge Hospital, before Dr Paul Cuthbertson, Chairman of St John's Hospice in Wirral, performs the official switch-on.

Trees in the Hospice Gardens will be illuminated with hundreds of lights, which will stay on until Twelfth Night (January 6). After the ceremony, mulled wine/coffee and mince pies will be available in the Appeals Office building, together with Christmas cards, gifts and goods.

Helen Crawford, Fundraising Manager at the Hospice, described public response to the appeal, promoted through the Globe as "simply overwhelming".

Literally thousands of people have taken up the offer to "Light Up a Life for a Loved One" by sponsoring a light for £5.

Globe readers alone have contributed the magnificent sum of more than £4,000 by using the special coupon which appeared in the paper for two weeks.

"It's brilliant, absolutely brilliant," said Helen on Monday. "This year's appeal will have raised a five-figure sum for St John's and we simply can not thank people enough. Their support, as ever, has been absolutely marvellous . . ."

Those who have sponsored a light for a loved one - or as a Christmas gift for a relative or friend - will have the name of person whose life is being celebrated entered into a Book of Honour which will be kept in the Hospice Chapel and receive a card bearing both their own name and the name of the person they have sponsored.

There is still time to sponsor a Light for a Loved One by telephoning the Hospice Appeals Office on 343-0778.

"It is wonderful that so many people want to celebrate the life of a loved one in this positive fashion," said Helen.

The modern 16-bed Hospice, which has annual running costs of £1 million, provides invaluable care and comfort for the terminally ill and their families. Every penny from 'Light Up a Life' goes towards helping to continue that very special care given to patients and their loved ones.

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