Cardiff landmarks light up purple as City Hospice appeal returns
Cardiff landmarks light up purple as City Hospice appeal returns
Subscribe to the Businessin Wales daily newsletter for FREE here.
Cardiff landmarks including Cardiff Castle, Roath Park’s lighthouse, Mermaid Quay and the Norwegian Church Arts Centre in Cardiff Bay were illuminated in purple to mark the return of City Hospice’s annual Light up a Life appeal.
The campaign, which runs from the start of October until 31 December, gives people across the community the opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones while raising funds for the capital’s only provider of home-based specialist palliative care.
For many families, the appeal carries deeply personal significance. Sue Newcombe will be remembering Tanya Balch, her partner of 27 years, through her support for City Hospice. Tanya was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer and later developed metastases. City Hospice provided her with specialist palliative care and offered counselling for her loved ones.
Sue said: “The care we received from City Hospice, whether palliative care, welfare advice or counselling, was amazing and delivered with such compassion. They guided us through this difficult time with kindness and understanding. Tanya’s precious sons Ellis and Lloyd, her family and I are so grateful to the charity and all their support.
“Tanya was incredibly special. Her presence in all of our lives has left ripples far beyond what she would have imagined. Tanya gave me lists and notes for everything. In my post-death instructions, I found a note from Tanya which said, ‘share your memories of me so I can exist when I no longer exist’, and Light up a Life feels like the perfect time to tell her story.”
A number of events and activities will take place across Cardiff during the three-month campaign. These include a festive concert at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, a remembrance service at Llandaff Cathedral, the Big Christmas Wrap at St David’s Dewi Sant, and Rudolph Runs in schools.
The immersive Christmas at Bute Park light trail will also support City Hospice for the fourth year running, naming the organisation as one of its chosen charities.
Crucially, donations to the campaign will be boosted through match funding from The Hodge Foundation, effectively doubling the amount raised to support the hospice’s work.
City Hospice delivers a range of services including welfare advice, complementary therapies, bereavement counselling and specialist care for patients with terminal or life-limiting illnesses.
Dr Liz Booyse, Chief Executive of City Hospice, said: “The festive season can be a challenging time for those who have lost loved ones or are experiencing a difficult period following the news of a terminal or life-limiting illness. Light up a Life aims to bring some light, hope and comfort in the lead up to Christmas by celebrating and remembering loved ones together.
“We are incredibly moved that iconic landmarks in the city will lend support to our cause by lighting up in purple tonight and grateful to the Hodge Foundation for their pledge to match fund donations during the appeal. Every gesture and donation will help brighten the lives of those who need City Hospice this Christmas.”
Karen Hodge, a trustee of the Hodge Foundation, added: “We are thrilled to be supporting City Hospice’s Light up a Life appeal once again. Through our match funding, every donation will be doubled, shining twice as bright in memory of loved ones, and helping City Hospice continue to care for those in need in the city at the highest level.”
Want more from Businessin Wales? Why not follow us on our socials
Listen to the Businessin Wales podcast
