A Herefordshire hospice says it hopes to reach more people than ever before after moving a popular festive service online.
St Michael's Hospice Light up a Light event will now be streamed live from Hereford Cathedral on Sunday 19th December, with no physical attendees.
The Hospice made the difficult decision to move this in-person event to online in order to keep all of its attendees, staff, volunteers and the wider public safe following the news of the increased cases of Covid-19.
Each year, hundreds take part in the service which gives people the opportunity to begin Christmas by remembering loved ones no longer with us.
Over 500 people had registered to attend the in-person service, with the Hospice hoping that all of those people plus many more will now watch it from the comfort of their own homes.
“We would have loved to host Light up a Life in front of a packed Cathedral, as we have in previous years,” said Jill Groves, the Hospice’s Lead Chaplain.
“But although we’ll be apart physically, this broadcast gives us the opportunity to join together online, light a candle in your own space, and remember those we’re missing this Christmas.”
The focal point of the service is when the lights are dimmed and candles lit by the congregation to symbolise the lives of those each person is remembering.
Those planning to follow the online service can still light a candle by picking one up this week from selected St Michael’s Hospice Retail stores.
Hundreds of people have already left dedications, with names set to be featured on a Wall of Remembrance outside the Cathedral to be on display from 19th December until early January.
The broadcast has been made possible thanks to the generosity of Hospice supporters CJP Broadcast Service Solutions Ltd who are not charging for beaming the service into people’s homes.
“We’re incredibly grateful to CJP for their most generous offer to stream the service,” added Jill.
“We hope as many people as possible can join us virtually for what is an integral part of many people’s Christmas.”
The service begins at 5.30pm on Sunday 19th December.
Visit st-michaels-hospice.org.uk from just before 5.30pm on the day to join the event where the details will be on the homepage.
If you miss it, the recording will remain online via the Hospice website throughout the Christmas holidays.
