Kettering hospice's Christmas tree fundraiser raises glittering £26,000

A Kettering hospice's annual Christmas tree-lighting memorial service that moved online due to Covid restrictions has been hailed a success.

Cransley Hospice's virtual Tree of Lights service has raised £26,000 with funds providing specialist end of life care for people in north Northamptonshire.

The annual gathering attracts supporters to St Mary’s Hospital site in Kettering, where a huge confier is dressed in thousands of lights.

Due to the restrictions of the pandemic the ceremony had to be adapted and held virtually via the Cransley Hospice social media channels.

Rachel Herrick, Cransley Hospice director of income generation and communications, said: “The generous donations raised from this year’s event will help to support the hospice’s loss of income this year and benefit other families and patients needing the specialist care provided at the hospice.

"The outpouring of love and dedications on the website from families that have lost loved ones and tuned in to watch the Tree of Lights service has been incredibly moving."

The service has received a flood of positive comments from families and friends and is still available to watch via the Cransley Hospice Facebook and YouTube Channels.

Lit each evening, the tree will remain illuminated until Twelfth Night - January 2, 2021.

Louise Preedy, community fundraising manager at Cransley Hospice, said: “The festive season can be a particularly difficult time of year for anyone alone or who has lost a close family member or friend and this year it is especially hard, so we will be keeping the service on our social channels throughout the festive season for anyone to watch so that they can take comfort from the beautiful readings, music and lighting of the tree.

"For anyone who would like to remember their loved one by leaving a dedication with a donation we will send one of our special remembrance packs so that they can follow the service in their own time and in the comfort of their home.

"It has been such a difficult year for so many, Cransley Hospice want to reach out to the whole community, whether a loved one had been at the hospice or not, to join us and take comfort from the remembrance service."

Special remembrance packs have been sent in response to donations, as well as to care homes in the area so that residents and staff could also join the service and not feel alone at this difficult time. Click here to leave a dedication.

To watch the service via Facebook click here or click here for YouTubeTo make a donation in support of Cransley Hospice click here.