City landmarks light up lives for charity appeal

Several of Cardiff’s landmarks were lit up in purple last night to mark the start of City Hospice’s annual Light up a Life appeal and recognise the specialist palliative and end of life care the charity has been providing to the people of Cardiff for 40 years.

Roath Park lit up in support of Light up a Life

The iconic locations across the city that turned purple included Cardiff Castle, Mermaid Quay, and Roath Park.

The illuminations highlighted City Hospice’s Light up a Life appeal which aims to bring light and hope for people in Cardiff by remembering and celebrating the lives of loved ones in the lead up to Christmas.

The appeal, which has a new look this year, runs from October until 31 December and features a number of festive celebrations, events and services for supporters such as a charity art auction, a festive concert, a community remembrance service, Jolly Jumpers days, and a Rudolph Run in schools across the capital.

Iconic city landmarks like Cardiff Castle were lit up in purple for City Hospice's Light up a Life appeal

City Hospice has also been announced as one of the chosen charities of immersive light trail experience Christmas at Bute Park for the third consecutive year.

Supporters will be able to make donations and leave messages of remembrance throughout the appeal period using the charity’s ‘Virtual Star in the Sky’ feature. Donations made to the Light up a Life appeal during the three- month period will go twice as far, thanks to match funding by The Hodge Foundation who are generously supporting the appeal.

Funds raised will support City Hospice which is the only provider of home-based specialist palliative care in the capital. The charity, which is marking its 40th anniversary this year, provides care and services including welfare advice and complementary therapies to patients with terminal or life limiting illnesses, as well as bereavement support and counselling for the families of its patients.

Mermaid Quay was lit up in purple for City Hospice's Light up a Life appeal

Karen Timbrell will be remembering her daughter Holly in the lead up to Christmas by supporting the Light up a Life appeal this year. City Hospice provided specialist palliative care to Holly, who had been diagnosed with a brain tumour, towards the end of her life, as well as counselling for Karen.

Karen said: “City Hospice were great; they made everything as easy as possible for all of us and allowed us to spend meaningful, quality time with Holly. Although our time with City Hospice was brief, the support was immeasurable.

“Everyone loves Christmas but Holly really, really loved Christmas and everything about the festive season. With her birthday not long after Christmas, it was always a special time for our family, and we enjoyed making the most of celebrating her birthday and Christmas every year. The anniversary of her death, Christmas and birthday fall in the space of a fortnight and it can be a difficult period. We think of Holly every day but particularly at Christmas. The Light up a Life appeal seems like a particularly poignant time for me to share her story and support City Hospice at the same time.”

Karen is supporting City Hospice's Light up a Life appeal in memory of her daughter Holly

Liz Booyse, Chief Executive of City Hospice, said: “We light up lives, remembering and celebrating loved ones, in the festive season every year and it was incredibly special and moving to see so many major landmarks in the city lit up yesterday evening in support of our appeal.”

Karen Hodge, a trustee of The Hodge Foundation, said: “We are delighted to support City Hospice’s Light up a Life 2024 appeal, especially in this milestone year celebrating their 40th anniversary. By match funding donations, we are proud to help support their vital work in the community, providing care and support to those who need it most.”