A CAMPAIGN to allow Wyre Forest residents to remember loved ones at Christmas helped raise £7,000 for a hospice.

Kemp Hospice’s Light up a Life saw 402 people from Kidderminster, Bewdley, Stourport and Tenbury Wells dedicate a light on a tree and hang a special message of remembrance.

A celebration service was held on Saturday 12th December at Kidderminster Town Hall with over 200 people attending to hear hymns performed by The Valentines and readings from Kemp staff and volunteers.

Shelley Stanley, Kemp Events Fundraiser, said: “Thank you to everyone who took part in our Light up a Life Campaign this year.

“The heartfelt tributes on each of the trees are one of the many reasons we run this campaign and I hope it provides the Wyre Forest community with a unique way to remember their loved ones.”

The Swan Centre in Kidderminster provided the decorated tree while managers Ros Darby and Helen Dyke gave their time to take dedications, hand out tags and provide refreshments and mince pies for the celebration service at the Town Hall.

This year, the campaign was also sponsored by Kidderminster care home Brook Court on Oldnall Road, enabling residents there to remember their loved ones from the comfort of their home.

Simon Maskell, customer relations manager at Care UK’s Brook Court, said: “Light up a Life is a superb campaign which brings together people of all ages and we were delighted to pledge our support to Kemp Hospice and give something back to the local community.

“It was a privilege to have our own Light up a Life tree at Brook Court and many of the residents took the opportunity to place tributes on the special Christmas tree.”