People from Cardiff were offered a variety of ways to celebrate the lives of lost loved ones as we left 2022 behind.

City Hospice’s Light Up A Life fundraising campaign included the high tech option of a message of remembrance on a digital virtual star on the Cardiff skyline, or the more traditional tag on a Christmas tree.

The charity also organised a remembrance service in the grounds of the hospice, with a Christmas tree light switch on, readings and performances from Llanishen High School Choir, Côr Caerdydd, CytSain Choir and Howell’s School’s string quartet Perfect Pitch.

Another event took place at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and ended with the chance to follow an immersive light trail at Bute Park.

The campaign achieved an incredible £150,000 in donations, matched by the Hodge Foundation. The money will help City Hospice continue to provide home-based specialist palliative care in Cardiff.

Liz Booyse, Chief Executive of City Hospice, said:

“The Light Up A Life campaign helps us to remember and celebrate those we have lost and enables us to continue the work we do with families and those receiving palliative care. We are incredibly grateful to the Hodge Foundation whose continued support of Light Up A Life makes our work possible.

“We are so pleased to have been able to provide opportunities and events for people to come together and find comfort in remembrance at what can be a really difficult time of year.”

The charity provides care to patients with terminal or life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, dementia, motor neurone disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as bereavement counselling and services for families.

Photo: City Hospice