A charity-run remembrance service was threatened with cancellation after stormy conditions hit Scunthorpe on Tuesday 10 December.
Lindsey Lodge Hospice planned to hold its second evening Light up a Life Service in its new memorial garden around its Light up a Life Tree for local people to remember a lost loved one, but strong winds and heavy rain meant the venue was deemed unsuitable by hospice leaders to ensure the safety and comfort of the hundreds of supporters planned to attend the event.
Following checks on Tuesday morning Lindsey Lodge Hospice’s Fundraising Team was left with a difficult decision whether to cancel the event and disappoint supporters, or find an alternative venue. But a little Christmas magic was sprinkled when Old Brumby United Church came to the rescue.
Lindsey Lodge Hospice Chief Executive Karen Griffiths said: “We had planned a sparkling display of lights in preparation for our Light up a Life Service in our garden, and our whole team spent Monday desperately erecting tents and gazebos in preparation for the forecasted rain on Tuesday.
“However, when we went outside on Tuesday morning the strength of the wind and forecast for it to get worse as the day went on meant we had only hours to find a new venue, and change all of our plans for the Service to avoid letting down over three hundred and sixty people who had dedicated a light at our service.”
The Hospice contacted Church Leader Laurie Holtby at Old Brumby United Church, where it was holding its Carol Service the following day, and home to the Rotary Club of Scunthorpe’s Festival of Christmas Trees, which is being held in aid of Lindsey Lodge, who agreed to hold the service there.
Karen said: “Thanks to our website and social media, along with a plea to local media outlets to spread the message of the change of venue, hundreds of people were able to attend a poignant and beautiful service, with the backdrop of over 80 beautiful Christmas trees, as well as placing their dedications on our own Light up a Life tree.
“With music provided by our choir Hospice Harmonies, The Salvation Army Band and Praise Group, and Piper Danny Fleming, along with readings and prayers from our Hospice Chaplains our supporters filled the church with a very special Christmas spirit, to create a magical evening, which we will never forget!”
She added: “Our 2019 Light up a Life campaign has raised a staggering £9,000 for the Hospice, and we truly could not have made this happen without the support from our local community, so a heart-felt thank you to everyone involved!”
Lindsey Lodge Hospice’s Book of Dedication will be available to view in the Hospice’s Sumer House in its Memorial Garden at the Hospice until 31 January 2020.
For more information about Lindsey Lodge Hospice please visit the Hospice website at www.lindseylodgehospice.org.uk, email
llh.enquiries@nhs.net or phone 01724 270835.
