Light Up A Memory this Christmas in aid of Milford Hospice

Light Up A Memory this Christmas in aid of Milford Hospice

By ilovelimerick correspondent Frances Watkins

The Light up a Memory event will mark its 18th anniversary this year and is one of the most important annual fundraisers for Milford Hospice.  Every year, the tree at Milford is adorned with thousands of sparkling lights, each one shining in honour of someone special in our thoughts.  The ceremony is taking place on Sunday 10th December at 6.00p.m.

“The event, which sees large numbers in attendance has offered great solace and is a memorable start to the season for so many since it began in 1999.  Last year, some 20,000 people were remembered through lights sponsored in their name”, said Pat Gilmartin of Milford Hospice Friends.  “People who come here generally have a shared loss.  Usually they have a relative or friend who died in the hospice or died at home under the care of Milford.  It is a time to remember their loved ones who have lit up their lives and so deserve to be remembered”, he explained. “Pat went on to explain; It’s €5 to sponsor a light and what we have noticed a lot of our supporters are now contributing to us online, which is a real shift, and what is lovely to see on the night some people also purchase our red candles which are held aloft and it’s so nice to see them swaying in the cold as our Monaleen School choir perform songs around the Light up a Memory tree”.

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Pat Quinlan, Chief Executive, Milford Care Centre, said; “We are hoping that many of our loyal and valued supporters will be joining us again this year.  We are extremely grateful for the continuous public support we receive, which is necessary for Milford Hospice to be able to deliver high quality, patient centred care throughout the Mid West”.  Pat went on to explain: “our new development project involving the building of a new 34 bed single room occupancy specialist palliative care unit will shortly be opening.  The key drivers for this new development are to ensure that the privacy and dignity needs for each individual patient we serve are fully met and that our increased bed capacity will help us deliver more responsive and ready access for patients into the future.  We pride ourselves in delivering services of the highest quality and standards to the people of the Mid West and this is helped greatly by the ongoing generosity of the general public”.

The Christmas tree lights are a unique gift whereby a light can be sponsored for a loved one.  A specially designed Light up a Memory card is available for each light sponsored, which may be sent to relatives at home or abroad or to the family of a deceased relative or friend.  The lights will remain illuminated until Sunday 07th January 2018 at 6.00p.m. when Mass will be celebrated here at Milford Care Centre for all those remembered on our Light up a memory tree.  It also includes enrolment in our Light up a Memory book which is on display in the Hospice throughout the year.  Everyone is welcome to sponsor a light and it’s not just for those that have used the services of Milford.  It’s a time of year to reflect on special memories together.  Lights can be sponsored for just €5.00 from now until Christmas and will shine throughout the festive season.

You may place your order on line by visiting  www.milfordcarecentre.ie  or by calling the Fundraising Department at Milford Care Centre on 061 485859 or 061 485860.  You can sponsor a light on the night of 10th December at the Light up a Memory ceremony.

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