AN ANNUAL service held to remember lost loved ones will return next month.

Prospect Hospice is hosting Light up a Life online so people can join in from home and pay their respects.

Anyone who has been bereaved and wants to take a moment to remember a much-missed relative or friend can join the service, regardless of whether or not they used the hospice's facilities and support.

It will be streamed live on You Tube on Sunday December12 at 4.30pm and there will be a link on the charity’s website for people who want to watch.

Traditional carols, readings, the lighting of the Light up a Life candle and the procession of lantern bearers will all feature in the service, along with the names of loved ones who will be remembered.

The hospice is asking for people who would like to submit dedications of loved ones to do so by this Friday in order for them to be included in the service and the hospice’s book of remembrance.

Sheryl Crouch from Prospect Hospice, said: “Our Light up a Life service is an important event for the Swindon community.

"The festive period can often be a difficult time for people who are mourning the loss of loved ones.

“Light up a Life allows us to come together to reflect on the year and think about those people we have loved and lost.

“While we’d have liked to come together in person this year for the service, with the hospice still observing strict infection protocols, it seemed sensible to take it online again.

“We hope that as many people as possible will watch the service.

"Feedback from our supporters was that they very much enjoyed our online service last year and still shared in the same sense of remembrance as they do when they’re at the hospice.

"Joining the service is free but any donations made alongside dedications of loved ones would be greatly appreciated by the hospice to fund its work in providing end-of-life care to people and offer support to their loved ones."

To make a dedication, go to the charity’s website www.prospect-hospice.net/lightupalife

CQC inspectors rated the Wroughton facility Outstanding overall in October at the end of a three-year journey made after the health board rated it Requires Improvement in 2018.

During the pandemic, the hospice launched a Thanks A Million fundraising campaign which aimed to cover the money lost from fundraisers which had to be cancelled because of coronavirus restrictions. The campaign has received a lot of support as people around the town set themselves tough challenges to contribute to this cause.