Liverpool lights up a life

As the festive period gets underway and the year draws to an end, there’s always an alternative way to remember lost loved ones this Christmas, with special lights for a special person.

In its fifth year, the ‘Light up a life’ campaign was started in 2004 by Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, and will once again use Lime Street Station as the centre stage.

Members of the public have applied in their hundreds to sponsor a light on for £5 and in return have the name of someone special they have lost hung in memory.
There are a further two trees being placed at Belle Vale shopping centre and within the Hospice chapel which the public can also sponsor.

Fundraising and Communications Manager, Penny Williams said: “The money raised helps go towards respite care for parents and 24-hour one on one care for babies in need of palliative terminal care.”
This means parents such as Cheryl and John Mae can have time off when things get too much looking after Lola, aged 4, who was born prematurely and has special needs.

Only days after Lola had been born, doctors discovered she had Trisomoy 13, a rare genetic disorder which leaves infants with growth retardation from birth, resulting in problematic health throughout their lives.

David Wilde, Community Fundraiser said: “Without public support we wouldn’t be able to care for babies with multiple special needs and life-threatening conditions like Lola and just as important, support their parents.”

Set up in 1994 by Professor J Scarisbrick, Zoë’s Place relies upon the generosity of the public, grant making trusts and corporate partners to raise running costs of £750,000 per annum.
With over 45 babies and their families currently receiving their help 7 days a week, ‘light up a life’ concludes a busy year of fundraising for the hospice.

Penny said: “Most memorable of all must be the Marathon des Sables, where Jonathan Kane, Head of International Development at Liverpool FC, endured the infamous toughest race on earth to raise an incredible £8, 434.”

Last year’s campaign raised an impressive £2, 564, as Olympic boxer and bronze medalist, Dave Price kicked off proceedings at the switch on.

David Wilde is keeping his mouth firmly shut about this year’s celebrity, but believes this year’s opening on the 27th November shall be even more exciting, hoping to surpass last year’s target and reach £3, 500.