IT'S a sombre but strengthening experience, bringing comfort at Christmas to ever more people with each passing year.
The now-traditional tree of lights ceremony at St Clare's Hospice in Jarrow has become so well attended that two services are being held this year.
South Tyneside Council used to give the hospice a fir tree as a gift, but five years ago it was decided instead to decorate a birch tree in its garden with lights in memory of loved ones.
Since then, though, the number of those wanting to dedicate a light has swelled to more than 500, so two other trees have had to be used too.
It has also led to a big increase in those attending the switching-on ceremony, being held this year on Sunday, December 16, followed, as usual, by a carol service in a marquee, with refreshments and mince pies.
To meet that increased demand, there will be two ceremonies instead of the usual one, to be held at 4.30pm and 6pm.
South Shields funeral director John Duckworth will again be sponsoring the services.
Hospice fundraising manager Marie Watson said: "This has become an important event in our calendar because of the comfort it brings to so many at a time of the year when thoughts of loved ones are particularly poignant.
"Such is its growing popularity that we are inviting people to attend by the surname of the person to whom their light is dedicated – A to M at the earlier ceremony, followed by N to Z.
"This is simply to provide more room for everyone and is not, of course, hard and fast as we realise it will not be convenient to some."
Miss Watson hopes the record £14,000-plus raised in donations last year will be topped.
A dedication form for those wanting a light in memory of a relative or friend can be downloaded
here and is also available from the hospice's reception desk, its charity shops or its website, www.stclareshospice.co.uk
Lights can also be dedicated via www.shieldsgazette.com
Loved ones' names will be entered in a Christmas book of lights, to go on display on the night and in the hospice chapel until the end of January.
Those attending will also receive a souvenir programme listing the names of those remembered on the trees.
The full article contains 400 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
