MORE than 1,000 people are expected to gather at Pendleside Hospice next month to pay tribute to lost loved ones.

Relatives will be given the chance to sponsor coloured lights which will illuminate the care facility in Reedley.

Now in its tenth year, the Light Up A Life service has become a popular event for Pendle people and saw £96,818 raised last year.

Organisers are keen to top last year’s figure with this year’s campaign and have set up more lights than any other previous year.

Hospice fundraising manager, Kaye Bartle, said: “Christmas is traditionally a time for families and loved ones and it can be especially difficult without that special person or persons around that ‘lit up your life’.

“The lights shine out as a celebration of the life of someone who has been dear to us whether family or a close friend and the person being remembered doesn’t have to have been cared for by the hospice or have suffered from a life-limiting illnesses.”

Anyone who sponsors a light to celebrate the life of a loved one can put their name in a book of remembrance which is kept on permanent display at the hospice.

The lights will shine outside the hospice throughout the dark winter nights over the Christmas period.

A minimum donation of £5 per person is requested, and in return, donors will receive a special card and a lapel pin badge.

This year‘s services will take place on December 19 and 20 at 3.30pm.

Light Up A Life forms are available online at www.pendleside.org.uk and also in all seven hospice shops including the hospice reception.

Call 01282 440120 for more details or email fundraising@pendleside.org.uk.