St Giles Hospice is once again inviting people from across the region to remember the life of someone special to them who is no longer with us.

The charity, which cares for local people living with cancer and other serious illnesses, is staging its hugely popular ‘Light up a Life’ services next month (Dec).

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

Names are 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 is 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.”

The Cannock ‘Light up a Life’ ceremony will be held on Sunday 3rd December (6.30pm) at St Luke’s Church.

The Sutton Coldfield service is being staged on Sunday, 10th December at Four Oaks Methodist Church (6.30pm).

The Burton-on-Trent event is also being held on Sunday, 10th December, at the Coors Visitor Centre (6pm).

While the Lichfield 'Light up a Life' ceremony will take place in front of the Cathedral on Sunday 17th December (6pm). Bowens Coaches, of Tamworth, will again be running a park and ride service from the Morrisons supermarket car park on Beacon Street.

Anyone wishing to submit the name of a loved one, which will be recorded in the Book of Memories at the event, should send their name, address, telephone number, and the name of the person to be remembered, to St Giles Hospice, Freepost, Light up a Life, Fisherwick Road, Whittington, Lichfield WS14 9BR.

Everyone taking part is invited to make a donation to help the work for St Giles and cheques should be made payable to St Giles Hospice.

Alternatively, information and application forms can be requested by telephoning 01543 432538.

Last year's 'Light up a Life' ceremonies saw more than 2000 loved ones remembered and over £19,000 was donated to help St Giles' vital work.

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.