Light up a Life in memory of someone you love
Celebrating and remembering loved ones is at the heart of Light Up a Life. We are inviting you to make a donation and dedicate a light in memory of someone special this Christmas. Every donation makes a huge difference to the care we provide, helping us to support hundreds of local people every year.
Your lights will shine brightly on the beautiful Christmas trees outside of the hospice and at St Mary’s Church, symbolising the light of loved ones that will forever remain. We also invite you to join our Light Up a Life services, where you can enjoy songs and readings chosen with love by hospice staff and volunteers.
After making your dedication, you will receive a handwritten card containing the names of those you are remembering and a special card decoration on which you can write a message and then hang on your Christmas tree. Each dedication will be recorded in an online Book of Remembrance, which will be available to view at the services and on our website.
2025 Light up a Life Services
Our non-religious service will be held at Barnsley Hospice on Thursday 4 December at 6 pm. Please note that this is an outdoor service, so please dress accordingly.
Our religious service will be held at St Mary’s Church, Barnsley on Sunday 7 December at 3:30 pm.
Hannah’s Story
Hannah’s wife, Kay, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in November 2021. Kay and her family were supported by the hospice during the final year of Kay’s life. This Light up a Life, Hannah is dedicating a light in celebration of Kay.
“In the middle of the most desperate, heart-wrenching time of our lives, the hospice gave us moments of peace. I’ll never forget the compassion the staff showed to her and our family.
“For us, Light Up a Life is Kay’s light still shining. Kay was not just our light, she was a beacon of hope and strived to make a difference in communities. This is a moment to stop, remember, and feel close to her again.”
Your donation will help more people create lasting memories with their loved ones.
As a charity, we rely on the generosity of people like you to help us raise the vital funds we require each year to provide outstanding care. Every donation helps us to be there for the people of Barnsley when they need it most. Thank you.
Make a donation
Your donations make a real difference to the care and support we can provide for the people of Barnsley. You can make a donation online, over the telephone, or call into our Reception.
Dedicate a light
Your lights will shine on the Christmas trees at Barnsley Hospice and St Mary’s Church throughout the festive period – representing those you are remembering.
Each dedication will be recorded in an online Book of Remembrance, which will be available to view at our services and on our website. You will also recieve a handwritten card containing the name(s) of your dedication, along with a special card decoration to display at home.
Attend a service
You are also invited to join us at one of our Light up a Life services, where you can enjoy songs and readings chosen with love by hospice staff and volunteers. We will be holding a non-religious service at Barnsley Hospice and a religious service at St Mary’s Church.
Make a difference
Last year, our Light up a Life campaign raised over £30,000 for the hospice and we simply could not continue our work without fundraisers such as this one.
Each dedication helps to make a difference to a local person and their loved ones when they need it most.
Lucy’s Story
Lucy’s mum was cared for by Barnsley Hospice in the final weeks of her life, following a diagnosis of stomach cancer two years earlier. This Light up a Life, Lucy is dedicating a light in celebration of her Mum.
“During that time, I met so many members of the hospice team. Every single one of them was warm, kind, and positive. They were the kind of people my mum was. It felt so right that she was being cared for by people who radiated the same compassion and light she did.”
“Light up a Life is a meaningful way to celebrate the lives of special people during the festive season, while also raising vital funds for the hospice. It’s something everyone should get involved in, not only to celebrate our loved ones, but to make a very important difference to the lives of other families.”
Darcie’s Story
Darcie was just 11 years old when she attended her first Light up a Life Service. This year, we are delighted that she will be doing the honours of singing at our hospice Light up a Life service in memory of her grandparents.
“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.”
Dedicate a light and make your donation
You can dedicate a light and make your donation by using our quick and secure online form below. If you’d prefer to make a donation offline, please give our fundraising team a call on 01226 244 244 during office hours.
Once you have made your donation, we will send you a beautiful Light up a Life card, handwritten with the name(s) of the loved ones you are remembering this Christmas. Your dedicated names will also be added to the online Book of Remembrance which will be available to view at our services and on our website.
Please note, dedications received after 25 November will be added to the online Book of
Remembrance after the date of the services.
Thank you to our sponsor!
Our heartfelt thanks go to our Light up a Life sponsor, Booker Commercial. Thank you for helping make this event possible once again.