People from across the region have been gathering at St Giles Hospice's popular annual Light up a Life services.

The ceremonies– invite people from across the region to remember the life of someone special to them who is no longer with us.

Central to the ceremonies– which were held in Lichfield, Cannock, Sutton Coldfield and Burton-on-Trent - was a Christmas tree featuring lights symbolising the lives of those being remembered, that were switched on during the ceremony.

Names were also recorded in the Book of Memories, with those remembering a loved one sent a special card of acknowledgement.

Laura Pennycuick, St Giles Hospice’s Fundraising Co-ordinator, says: “Christmas can be a difficult time for those who have lost a loved one.

“Our ‘Light up a Life’ ceremonies offer the opportunity to celebrate the lives of those special people who are no longer with us - and support St Giles’ valuable work in the community at the same time.

“Everyone was invited to take part, whether their loss is recent or some time ago, and whether their loved one was cared for by St Giles or not.”

St Giles Hospice is a registered charity offering high-quality medical and nursing care for people with cancer and other serious illness, as well as providing support for their families and carers.

Patients come from across the hospice’s catchment area, which ranges from Ashby de la Zouch and Atherstone in the east, to Cannock and Walsall in the west – and from Burton and Uttoxeter in the north, to Sutton Coldfield and Coleshill in the south.

Care is offered either at the hospice in Whittington, near Lichfield, or in patients’ own homes across the region, where community nurses have made more than 7,000 visits over the past twelve months.

The range of high-quality, specialist services are expensive to provide, and the hospice relies heavily on donations and fundraising – including the proceeds from the ‘Light up a Life’ ceremonies.