LIGHTS of love will be shining across Worcester when the annual St Richard’s Hospice Christmas campaign begins on Friday, November 16.

Worcester News readers are invited to dedicate a light of love in memory of someone special to them.

For a donation of your choice, a light will shine on the St Richard’s Hospice Christmas Tree at St Andrew’s Spire, Deansway, throughout December.

The campaign starts with a service at Worcester Cathedral. In previous years more than 1,000 people have packed the evening service. For the first time this year, there will be an extra service at 3pm on Friday, November 16, to give the opportunity for even more people to attend.

The evening event begins at 7pm. Anyone who has lost a loved one is welcome to dedicate a light and attend the services. Both services will be led by the Very Rev Peter Atkinson, Dean of Worcester, and Rev David Knight, Chaplain. Opera singer Anne Lindstrum will perform.

After the evening service there will be a candlelit procession to the Christmas tree, for the switch-on of the lights with BBC Hereford and Worcester presenter Tony Fisher. Hospice fund-raiser Alison Parkes said: “The lighting of the tree is a lovely event. Last year lights were dedicated to more than 2,100 names and the tree looked magnificent. With such great support we raised £30,000 towards the work of the hospice – a fantastic sum.”

Lights of Love services will also be held in Droitwich and Malvern. On Wednesday, November 21, there will be an event at 6pm at Droitwich Spa Methodist Church and on Tuesday, December 4 at Malvern Priory, also at 6pm.

If you would like to make a dedication, contact strichards. org.uk/lightsoflove or call 01905 763963.