SPECIAL messages have been hung on this year’s giant Lights of Love tree as part of the Sobell House hospice annual fundraiser.

The Christmas tree at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford is decorated with lights and messages in memory of loved ones.

The lights will be officially switched on at a memorial service at 3.30pm tomorrow and remain lit throughout the festive period.

Lindsay Manifold, fundraiser for Sobell House, said: “It is a great event. It is a fundraising event but also a nice way for people to remember someone at Christmas. It has become important to people to come along at Christmas every year and write their messages on the tree.

“We sometimes have as many as 1,000 people, so it is always a big event.”


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Sobell House provides palliative and end-of-life care.

The event, which is now in its 19th year, will have a short service held near the tree that includes Christmas carols, a brass band and readings. Visitors will also have the chance to view the book of remembrance.

There are more than 1,000 messages hanging on the Lights of Love tree that will be lit up this year. The tree was donated by Timbmet and many other local companies and organisations helped with the ceremony.

Georgina Shomroni, a 51-year-old from Cowley, will be remembering her mother Maisie, 89, when she is at the service.

She said: “I think it is the only event of its kind. It is beautiful when you think each and every light represents a person and somebody’s loved one.

“The moment when the lights go on is amazing. It sort of has a double meaning, not just personal but so much more. Those who are religious can also remember the birth of Christ, remembering both life and death in full circle.

“I will be remembering my mother who died in February 2010 from cancer. It was a very hard and difficult time and the hospice helped to look after her superbly.

“I actually went to the event with my mother in 2009. I asked if I wrapped her up would she come with me. She very much enjoyed it as she loved singing.”

The Lights of Love ceremony is open to everyone.

 



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