£25
could pay for an hour of compassionate nursing care, giving a patient comfort and reassurance, and their family peace of mind knowing their loved one is in caring hands.
For many of us, the festive season is a time to gather with loved ones, so when you have lost someone you love, we know this time of year can feel particularly daunting.
Through Light up a Life, invite you to celebrate their life, your way. You can make a dedication in their memory or join one of our remembrance gatherings.
However you choose to remember them, your support will help St Margaret’s continue to be there for people and families across Somerset.
Make a dedication
Dedicate a star in your loved one's memory, add a photograph and message to create a personal online tribute, and remember them your way this winter.
John & Tina's Story
John and Tina spent nearly four decades together, building a life and a family filled with laughter, shared dreams and the everyday moments that meant so much to them.
In 2014, Tina was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
"That night, she woke me up around two o'clock in the morning," John remembers, "And she said, 'when I'm dead, don't forget me.'"
He promised he never would.
Light up a Life gives John a way to remember Tina each year. He makes a dedication, hangs a star, and takes time to reflect on their life together.
Click to read their full story In 2014, Tina was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
"That night, she woke me up around two o'clock in the morning," John remembers, "And she said, 'when I'm dead, don't forget me.'"
He promised he never would.
Light up a Life gives John a way to remember Tina each year. He makes a dedication, hangs a star, and takes time to reflect on their life together.
Your dedication can help another family
When you make a dedication to someone special, your donation can also help St Margaret's provide compassionate hospice care and support for people and their families across Somerset.
£30
could give a family a night in our Sunflower Suite, allowing them to stay close to their loved one on the ward and make the most of precious moments together.
£50
could help a patient and their family through difficult times, paying for practical support from our social workers to ease financial, housing or everyday worries, so they can focus on what matters most – each other.
Remember together
Light up a Life also brings people from far and wide together to pause, reflect, and remember the people who meant so much.
This winter, you can join us at one of our remembrance gatherings.
You can also watch our online remembrance video on Sunday 13 December, wherever you are.
Everyone is welcome, whether or not the person you are remembering received care from St Margaret’s.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Light up a Life is for everyone who would like to remember someone special, whether or not they or their family have previously received support from St Margaret’s.
Yes, you can make as many dedications as you like. We hope this is a way to remember all of your loved ones during the festive season.
All dedications made before Tuesday 1 December will be included in the online remembrance service video, which will be available for you to watch on our website from 4pm on Sunday 13 December.
If you do not want your loved one’s name to be included in the video, please let our Supporter Care team know when you are making a dedication.
When you make a dedication, we will send you a Light up a Life keepsake decoration and a dedication card with the name(s) of the people you are remembering. Their name will also be added to our Book of Remembrance, and our online video (if submitted before Tuesday 1 December).
If you received a Light up a Life pack by post, you can return your Memory Star to us and we will display it on one of our Christmas trees at our Taunton or Yeovil hospice hub.
You are very welcome to visit your star anytime during the festive season. You an also visit our hospices and place it on the tree yourself.
No. You can remember someone in whichever way feels right for you. You can make a dedication or create an online tribute without attending a gathering.
Make a dedication
Remember someone special by making a dedication their memory. You can personalise it with a photograph and message, creating a tribute that reflects what they mean to you.
Your dedication will also help St Margaret’s continue to provide hospice care and support for people and families across Somerset.