LOROS Hospice is inviting the community to celebrate four decades of compassionate care at its cherished Light Up a Life event this December. The service offers a poignant opportunity for people to remember and honour loved ones in a beautiful, festive setting.
A Special 40th Anniversary Celebration
The much-loved gathering will take place on Sunday, December 7 at 4.30pm within the hospice grounds in Leicester. This year holds particular significance as LOROS marks its 40th anniversary of providing free, high-quality care to terminally ill patients across Leicestershire and Rutland.
Attendees can expect a moving service featuring heartfelt readings, personal reflections, and the central moment when the LOROS Christmas tree is illuminated in memory of those who are dearly missed.
Festive Activities and Personal Remembrance
Guests are welcome to arrive from 3pm to enjoy several special activities before the main service begins. Visitors can:
- View their loved one's name in the Book of Remembrance
- Hang a personalised remembrance star
- Visit the hospice chapel for quiet reflection
- Browse festive stalls offering seasonal treats
The hospice will also serve traditional minced pies and mulled wine, creating a warm, communal atmosphere for all who attend.
A Cherished Tradition Since 1995
Nurse Jacky McBlain, who still works at LOROS today, fondly remembers the very first Light Up a Life service held 30 years ago in 1995. She recalls the magical scene that unfolded during that inaugural event.
"It started snowing," Jacky remembers. "The Salvation Army band was playing, and the hospice cat, Smudge, was sitting calmly by the front door. I remember watching it all unfold on the CCTV from inside the ward, and it was just... beautiful. Spellbinding, really."
She describes the powerful simplicity of people standing together in the snow, quietly singing and gently remembering those they had loved and lost.
"For many people, Light Up a Life is the true beginning of Christmas," Jacky explains. "It's a quiet moment to reflect, to honour the people we miss, and to feel close to them again. My family always remembers my dad and my grandparents during the service. Somehow, it gives us permission to move forward and celebrate the season, carrying them with us in spirit."
Supporting Vital Hospice Care
Entry to the Light Up a Life event is completely free, and everyone is welcome to join this special gathering - whether or not their loved ones were cared for by LOROS. The hospice encourages donations to its Light Up a Life Appeal, which helps fund essential care for local patients and their families during the Christmas period and beyond.
LOROS Hospice, which stands for the Leicestershire and Rutland Organisation for the Relief of Suffering, provides free specialist care and support to adults with terminal illnesses, their families, and carers.
For more information about the event, including parking details, visitors are encouraged to check the official Light Up a Life 2025 information page.
