Tree of Light brings comfort to local community
Nearly 1,000 people came together to remember someone they love at our Tree of Light yesterday (Sunday 8 December).
The service took place at the K2 Leisure Centre in Crawley and gave local people a chance to hang personalised dedication stars on Christmas trees, and to listen to reflective readings and performances from Melodious and OneVoice Community Choir.
Alongside the readings and music, people listened to Sarah Clapp speak about the care her Mum, Morag, received from our hospice and how it allowed her to stay in the comfort of her own home surrounded by family and friends.
During the service Charlene Marie, a Housekeeping Assistant on St Catherine’s wards and Katie Costello, a Nursing Assistant who provides care to people in the community, carried the Book of Remembrance forward. People were also able to view the book as they enjoyed mince pies and hot drinks after the service.
Traditionally, Christmas is a time when people come together with family and friends, but for many people who are bereaved it can also be a time of sadness. We recognise this and are here to help. Alongside supporting local people and families, we also support the wider community through bereavement groups in Crawley and Oxted. These groups are open to everyone, regardless of whether they have a connection to our hospice.
Reverend Lisa Rainier, Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Lead at St Catherine’s, said “It was a privilege to lead our Tree of Light service on Sunday and have so many people join us to remember someone special to them. We hope it provided comfort to those who attended. We’d also like to thank everyone who made a donation to our hospice. Your generosity and kindness will help us provide care for even more people in the future.”
For more information about our work or to make a donation to support local people this Christmas please click here. We can currently only help one in three local people who need our care, so any donation will make a difference. To find out more about attending our public bereavement groups please contact the Patient and Family Support Team on 01293 447343.
