MLAs Light the Way for hospice appeal

The Lagan Valley MLAs are backing the local charity’s Lights to Remember appeal and are encouraging people to sponsor a light on the Hospice Christmas tree in memory of a loved one or as an alternative gift.

It is anticipated that the annual ‘Lights to Remember’ appeal will raise £190,000 to help Northern Ireland Hospice care for local adults living with terminal illnesses over the festive season and beyond.

Everyone is encouraged to sponsor a light on the Hospice Christmas tree and it’s hoped that by Christmas Eve the tree will be lit with hundreds of sponsored lights, all in memory of loved ones.

Thanking the MLAs for supporting the Lights to Remember appeal, Hospice Nurse Rebekah Gillespie said, “We want to thank Brenda Hale, Jonathan Craig and Paul Givan for supporting this year’s Lights to Remember appeal.

“Anyone can sponsor a light, either in memory of a loved one or as an alternative Christmas gift. Each day I see the difference that every single donation, big or small, can make. A donation of just £30 could help pay for an hour of specialist nursing care.”

Northern Ireland Hospice cares for over 3,000 adults with terminal illnesses and their families, both in Hospice and in the community. Care is free to the patient but not free to provide and the charity relies heavily on the generosity of the public to fund its services.

The Hospice Christmas tree was officially switched on during a torchlight procession and tree lighting ceremony on Thursday.

For more information, visit www.nihospice.org or to sponsor a light visit www.justgiving.com/lightstoremember2013 or call 028 9077 7123.