MORE than £25,000 has been raised from a hospice’s Christmas ceremony held every year to remember the lives of lost loved ones.
Around 700 people attended St Benedict’s Hospice’s annual Light up a Life ceremony, in Ryhope, Sunderland, who had each dedicated a light on the beautiful 20ft tree of remembrance.
Among the guests at the ceremony were the Mayor of Sunderland, Doris MacKnight and her Mayoral Consort husband, Keith.
Catrina Flynn, head of fundraising operations at the hospice, said: “The tree looked beautiful when it was all lit up and, despite the poignancy of the ceremony, it was a very moving and lovely event. It allows people to be among other families who have lost loved ones and to show their thanks and appreciation to the fantastic team we have here.”