Light Up a Life 2025 – A night of reflection, community and generosity

On Monday evening, we once again came together for our annual Light Up a Life celebration. Thank you to everyone who joined us in person, supported from afar, or made a dedication or donation beforehand. We hope the occasion offered an opportunity to reflect on the past year and to remember and celebrate the lives of those who are special to us.

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Following the service, guests made their way to the Nursery Pavilion at Lord’s Cricket Ground for the reception. Here, supporters were able to browse and purchase our festive Christmas cards, new charity gift cards and pin badges, as well as take part in our popular Envelopes of Joy. For just £10, guests selected a surprise envelope containing anything from heartfelt messages of thanks from our hospice staff and patients, to festive gift sets and vouchers donated by local restaurants and businesses, including two eurostar tickets. Every envelope purchased helped raise vital funds for our hospice care.

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Guests were also invited to contribute to our Book of Remembrance, writing a short message in memory of a loved one. For those unable to attend on the night, messages could also be shared by email or phone, allowing everyone in our wider community to be part of this special tribute.

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We are delighted to share that £21,000 has been raised through Light Up a Life this year. This incredible total will directly support Inpatient Unit admissions, helping us continue to provide compassionate, specialist care to patients and their families when they need it most.

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We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made the evening so special – from those who attended and donated, to those who shared dedications and messages of remembrance. Our thanks also extend to our wonderful volunteers and all who helped bring the event together.

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A special thank you to the religious leaders who took part: Father Hugh Mackenzie, Reverend Dr Anders Bergquist, the Ansari Qadiri Rifai Sufi Order, Kirit Wadia, Mandip Singh, Rabbi Dr Alexandra Wright, and Canon Kevin Jordan, and to our readers Dr Reem Samir and Michelle. Our thanks also go to the Rock Choir, who filled the evening with wonderful music.

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We are proud to share that this year’s event was kindly sponsored by Westminster City Council, Abbey Road and Regent’s Park Ward Budgets, whose support helped make the evening possible.