A TOUCHING letter from a set of Wirral grandparents sent a tingle through nurses and officials at St John's Hospice in Wirral this week and provided fitting evidence, if it was needed, of what their annual Christmas appeal to 'Light Up a Light for a Loved One' really means.

"Our grandson lived for only 30 minutes from birth this year," they wrote. "We are so grateful to be able to ensure, in a small way, that his first Christmas will be celebrated with his light helping to illuminate your beautiful garden."

Fundraising Manager Helen Crawford said: "We were all so touched to read the letter when it arrived on Monday."

Trees in the Hospice Gardens will be illuminated with hundreds of lights, which will be officially switched on at a Carol Service, featuring members of the Salvation Army Band, on Thursday week (December 4, 7pm).

The lights, which will be switched on by Dr Paul Cuthbertson, Chairman of St John's Hospice in Wirral, will stay on until Twelfth Night (January 6).

Helen Crawford described the public response as 'quite unique'. "It is a celebration and it is wonderful that so many people want to celebrate the life of a loved one in this positive fashion," she added.

So far, Globe readers have contributed a magnificent £1,555 via the special coupon which appears for the last time today.

For sponsorship of £5, members of the public can have one light donated either in memory of a loved one or as a Christmas gift for a relative or a friend.

"Everyone who sponsors a light will have the name of their loved one or friend entered in a Book of Honour, which will be kept in the Hospice Chapel, and also receive a card bearing both their own name and the name of the person the light is for," explained Helen.

The modern 16-bed Hospice, which provides invaluable care and comfort for the terminally ill and their families, now has a totally refurbished Day Centre - but the need to fund the voluntary service is greater than ever; annual running costs amount to £1 million.

'Light Up a Life for a Loved One' forms are available from The Appeals Office, St John's Hospice in Wirral, Mount Road, Bebington, Wirral L63 6JE.

Heswall St John's Hospice in Wirral Support Group's Grand Christmas Fair takes place on Friday (November 28) at Heswall Hall (10am-1pm).

Wallasey Support Group's Christmas Concert, featuring Wallasey Girls' Choir, directed by Beryl Beckingham, is at Hotel Victoria, Albion Street, New Brighton, on Monday, December 8 (7.45pm). Tickets (£2) from either 630-5607 or 639-1695.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.