Dedicate a star in our inaugural In Loving Memory Garden
For the first time this year, the gardens at St John’s Hospice will be transformed into the In Loving Memory Garden, illuminated by hundreds of stars dedicated to people who hold a special place in the hearts of the local community.
From 30 November to 6 December 2026, between 4 pm and 7 pm each evening, you are invited to visit the Hospice gardens, walk through the lawn of stars and take a moment to remember and reflect with friends and family.
For £25, you can dedicate a star in memory of a loved one. You can write your own message on their dedication plaque when you visit or provide a special message of up to 15 words for the Hospice team to prepare in advance.
Each dedicated star will form part of our inaugural In Loving Memory Garden and will be available to collect from the Hospice from 2 January 2027, allowing you to take your star home as a lasting keepsake.
Those who have dedicated a star can visit the garden free of charge. For those who have not made a dedication, entry is available for a suggested donation of £2 donation per adult.
I didn't know what to expect from counselling or the group sessions, and I was nervous about attending, but every time I left, I felt lighter and more understood. The biggest thing this support has given me is the reassurance that I am not alone. Being with people who truly understand what you're going through makes such a difference."
St John’s Hospice provides specialist palliative and end-of-life care to people living with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Alongside our Inpatient Unit and Wellbeing Centre in St John’s Wood, we provide care in people’s homes across North, West and Central London, supporting almost 5,000 people each year.
Every donation helps make this care possible. A £25 star dedication could help deliver five mornings at our weekly Grief Café, providing a welcoming space where bereaved people like Noor can come together over a cup of tea, share their experiences of loss and connect with others who understand.
If you are able to increase your donation to £30, your support could fund a bereavement counselling session for a patient’s loved one, providing compassionate support when they need it most. It could also fund books or toys for our Children’s Room, helping to create a warm and comforting space where families can spend precious time together.
The In Loving Memory Garden is just one of several opportunities to support St John’s Hospice this festive season. For those looking for a more active way to fundraise, Santa in the City on 10 December, offers the chance to take part in a 5K walk, jog or run through the heart of London dressed as Santa.
We will also host our annual Light Up a Life celebration on 8 December at St John’s Wood Church, a remembrance multi-faith service followed by a reception at Lord’s Cricket Ground. The event is open to everyone, whether or not they have a connection to our Hospice, providing an opportunity for our community to come together and remember those who are no longer with us.
Music lovers can also enjoy a Candlelight Concert in the beautiful on-site chapel on 17 December, featuring music from The News, a close harmony group of New College, Oxford.
To find out more about the In Loving Memory Garden and to dedicate a star please visit www.stjohnshospice.org.uk/in-loving-memory-garden. Discover our other events mentioned above at www.stjohnshospice.org.uk/events.
