Almost 1,000 people turned out to celebrate the memory of a loved one at Kirkwood Hospice’s annual Light up a Life celebrations.

People from across Kirklees came together at two special ceremonies to remember friends or family and dedicate a light in their honour.

The guests were invited to view the lighting of a tree in the hospice grounds and to share memories of loved who could not be with them at this special time of year.

Readings around the theme of memories were followed by the switching on of lights on a magnificent beech tree at the heart of the Hospice gardens. The lights will shine throughout December as a symbol of those being remembered.

One of the guests at the event was Claire Watmough, of Linthwaite, who came with her family to dedicate a light in memory of her mother Wendy, who died at the hospice on Christmas Day last year.

Claire’s mum, Wendy Newlove, from Netherton, was admitted to the in-patient unit at Kirkwood on December 17, 2013 and died on Christmas day aged 73.

“From the minute we took Mum in they were fantastic.” said Claire.

“She was very well looked after in her last few days. We can’t thank the hospice enough.”

“Everyone at the hospice couldn’t do enough for the whole family.”

Wendy was diagnosed with cancer of the bladder in May 2013 and attended Support and Therapy at Kirkwood as well as having a dedicated Specialist Palliative Care Nurse who visited her at home.

“Mum loved coming down to the hospice. The team in Support and Therapy were great; she liked the little things like being able to have her hair done.” said Claire.

This year’s Light up a Life was particularly meaningful for Claire and her family as Wendy was particularly fond of the illuminated tree.

“Mum was in the hospice around Christmas time and she loved to look at the tree all lit up. We weren’t sure exactly what Light up a Life was at the time but when we got a leaflet through the post we were really keen to come down and take part.”

People still have the chance to remember a loved one in the hospice’s Book of Lights, which will be available to view in the New Year.

If you would like to make a donation of receive more information, please visit: www.kirkwoodhospice.co.uk/lightupalife or contact Wasim Hussain on: 01484 557911.