Pledge your support for hospice Light up a Life appeal

Brynton Parkes - whose son, Jonathan, 41, died in the hospice earlier this year - is asking people to back the appeal by sponsoring a light in the hospice gardens in memory of a loved one.

Mr Parkes said the hospice took exceptionally good care of his son, who lost his battle with bowel cancer in March.

He said: “You can’t put a price on the treatment they provide. The staff were absolutely wonderful, they did everything in their power to make him comfortable and I can’t fault them.”

“Staff even organised an early birthday party for Jonathan’s 12-year-old daughter Amy.

“They knew he wouldn’t make it to her birthday in April so they did an early one for her at the hospice, which Jonathan and his wife Julia really enjoyed.”

The Light up a Life appeal - run in partnership with the Express – gives residents the chance to have their loved ones’ names, and who they are remembered by, displayed in books of remembrance at the hospice. From next Thursday, November 13, the names will also be printed weekly in the Express until Christmas.

Mr Parkes said: “The appeal is a lovely way for relatives of loved ones who have passed away to reminisce and the fundraising side of it is so important.”

Amanda Jubb, hospice fundraiser, said: “Christmas is a very special time. But it is difficult when you think of those that cannot be with you.”

“This campaign is all about supporting each other while we remember.”