Rennie Grove Hospice Care’s Light up a Life goes virtual

Rennie Grove Hospice Care will be holding a virtual Light up a Life service this December to give people in Hertfordshire the opportunity to remember loved ones as Christmas approaches.

The introduction of the virtual service has come about because its usual annual Light up a Life services held in local communities in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire are unable to go ahead as a result of the pandemic.

Rennie Grove’s non-denominational Light up a Light service - supported by M.K. Ginder & Sons - will be presented on December 13, at 5pm.

The service will be presented by television presenter Pam Rhodes, famous for hosting Songs of Praise.

The video will be hosted on Rennie Grove’s website and shared so that people can join together for the service from the comfort of their own home.

Rennie Grove Head of Family Support, Lisa Makey, said: “Christmas is a special time of year and we know it can be particularly hard for those who have been bereaved.

"We also recognise that many people whose loved ones have died this year may not have been able to gather together and celebrate their lives in the way they would have liked.

“That’s why we wanted to give everyone the opportunity to join us for this service which we hope will be uplifting and bring people together to support each other during these challenging times.

“We’re sorry that it won’t be possible to hold our popular local in-person services this year, but we hope that this virtual service will offer everyone some comfort as well as supporting Rennie Grove Hospice Care’s essential work in the community.”

The service will include poems read by children, a moment for reflection, and songs performed by solo singer David Mills.

There will also be a moment for those watching at home to light a candle in memory of their loved one, and the opportunity to watch the lights being switched on over the Christmas tree.

To help get the most out of a service, families and friends can donate and order a Light up a Life pack, which includes an order of service, a candle, a Light up a Life card and a silver star that you can use to write a special message or attach a photo.

Rennie Grove has also teamed up with Much Loved, an online memorial charity, to create a special Light up a Life dedication page where people can write down thoughts, upload photos and leave messages in memory of a loved one.

Visit www.renniegrove.light-up-a-life.org/2020 to make a dedication. For more about the virtual service and to make a donation and order a Light up a Life pack, click here.