16 December 2010
On Saturday 11th December, hundreds of local people poured
into High Town Methodist Church to join Keech Hospice Care and its very own choir, Pasque Harmony, for the annual Light up a Life event.
Light up a Life is a unique occasion when people who have experienced a loss and wish to remember their loved one can come together with others for an event filled with concert music, carols, readings, dedications and the lighting of candles.
Traditionally the event has been held at the hospice itself but because of building works currently underway there, this year it was moved to the Methodist church. With demand for tickets so high, the hospice and its choir decided to offer two performances on the day, one at 2.30pm and another at 6.30pm.
Both performances were compered by television personality and former Luton MP candidate, Esther Rantzen, along with comedian, television and radio presenter, Stuart Miles. They introduced the much loved hospice choir, Pasque Harmony who performed a fantastic concert of seasonal songs. This was intermingled with readings and poems from hospice staff and tributes bravely read by bereaved mothers Carolyn Heard and Maria Wakeling and widow, Celia Hedley, which at times moved the audience to tears.
Every member of the audience was also given a tea light and these were lighted during the choir’s performance of ‘Because We Believe.’
Speaking after the event, Keech CEO, Mike Keel, said: “Light up a Life is a very special time in the hospice calendar; a time when people can remember and celebrate the life of a loved one, knowing they have all the support and understanding of everyone else around them.
“It is always emotional but we also see people take lots of comfort and joy from the event and that’s very rewarding. I’d very much like to thank everyone who took part in making this years’ event such a success, especially our co-hosts Pasque Harmony who never fail to impress us with both their performances and their continued support for the charity.”
