Darcie’s Story – Light up a Life

Darcie was just 11 years old when she attended her first Light up a Life service with her mum and sister, attending almost every year since 2009. As well as supporting this year’s Light up a Life campaign in memory of her grandparents, we are delighted that Darcie will be doing the honours of singing at our hospice Light up a Life service.

“My first interaction with the hospice was I was 9 and my grandma came to stay at the hospice for a few weeks after she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I was only young, but I remember it was around Easter time and staff were knitting crème egg chicks and a lovely nurse knitted some socks for me – which I still have to this day. I never felt scared.

“Mum and Grandad pretty much lived at the hospice whilst Grandma was in and we have supported the hospice ever since.

“In 2022, four and a half years after a lung cancer diagnosis, my Grandad ended up in hospital over Christmas. We knew we didn’t have much time left with him, and after how brilliant the hospice had been with Grandma, we knew that’s where we wanted him to be. We weren’t even sure he would make the transfer, but against all odds, he spent a week in the hospice.

“The overwhelming feeling when Grandad arrived at the hospice was just relief. We’d been waiting weeks to see a doctor whilst he was in hospital, and we saw three in his first day at the hospice.

“Grandad’s room at the hospice was opposite the one my grandma has stayed in, and as a family it gave us some comfort feeling close to her too. Me, mum and my sister stayed in the room with Grandad, listening to Glen Miller songs and just spending time with him.”

“Every single person we met at the hospice stopped to say hello and really had Grandad’s best interests at heart. They chatted to him all the time, even if he was dosing or asleep, and always checked on us as a family too. They really took the time to get to know who Grandad was – combing his hair the way he liked and even writing his nickname ‘Handsome Harry’ on the board in his room. He was relaxed the whole time he was at the hospice, and that meant we could be family rather than carers.

“He was looked after beautifully, by everyone from the nurses to the catering team pushing the cake trolley.”

“Having seen the care that the hospice provided my grandparents and other close family and friends has meant I’ve always wanted to give back. I’ve been attending Light up a Life since I was a little girl, and it’s become even more important since my grandad died.

“As a performer, when I’ve attended the services, I’ve often thought to myself ‘I wonder if I could do that?’. Grandad was my best friend and number one fan, and I know how much pride it would bring him and Grandma to know I was singing at this year’s Light up a Life. I have so many memories with my Grandad at Light up a Life, and now I’m doing it for him.

“Light up a Life is such a beautiful event and it’s a way of feeling connected to loved ones and surrounding yourself with people who have had similar experiences. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t got any experience with the hospice – you can still dedicate a light or attend the service to appreciate the readings and songs, and just have a moment to remember.”

If you’d like to dedicate a light and make a donation to support our care and services, please visit our Light up a Life page.