BURY Hospice is reaching out to its local community to take part in their annual festive remembrance service online as normal proceedings remain on the backburner until restrictions allow.

Bury Grammar School will be hosting the ‘Light up a Life’ service - an ever-important moment in the hospice’s calendar.

Eloise Burke, chief executive of Bury Hospice, said: “It takes place during the festive season, bringing the community of Bury together to remember, reflect and celebrate the lives of loved ones, and those who have touched our lives during this year.

“This year, more than ever, it’s so important that we get together and we are warmly inviting everyone to join in, as we all need to feel that community unity.”

“As a charity, as well as a hospice, we have felt support since the pandemic broke out in many ways through donations and kind messages, and encourage everyone across Bury who wants the opportunity to reflect and remember, to join us at Light up a Life. We are here for you, and are so grateful that you have been here for us, as our community stepping forward to help us has made the world of difference.”

The online service is set to be released live at 3pm on Sunday, December 6. It is staged at Bury Grammar School, as well as the hospice, and full details will soon be released.

Several local leaders have also encouraged people to take part and have lent their support to the Light up a Life campaign.

Rachel Wallace, the hospice's head of marketing, said: "We thank Bury Grammar School for hosting our online service.

"Originally we’d been planning an event in their beautiful Roger Kay hall, to accompany our new Light up a Life at Home, which ensured that everyone who wanted to join in, could, within their own homes. Then, as we adapted around government guidelines, we have formed a virtual service that we hope will resonate with everyone.”

“We are delighted that the Mayor of Bury, chair of the Bury Multi Faith Forum and Bury Council, as well as our own staff and school choirs, are involved this year, and encourage you to spread word of Light up a Life – we want as many people as possible across Bury to join us.”

Running alongside the annual service is Bury Hospice’s Light up a Life donation appeal, which helps fund the work of the hospice. The appeal has just launched, and people can donate on the hospice website and send a dedication to feature in the new online book of memories, which is available to read throughout the year.