A POIGNANT annual campaign to help residents remember lost loved ones has been launched by Kidderminster’s Kemp Hospice.

‘Light up a Life’ marks its silver anniversary this year and gives Wyre Forest people the chance to commemorate people who have died by displaying memories on special Christmas trees across the district.

Kemp launched the campaign in 1993 and are again asking people to ‘make a donation, leave a dedication and celebrate a life’.

Everyone who makes a donation to Light up a Life will receive a special dedication tag to fill in which will be displayed on special remembrance Christmas trees.

Once again the main Light up a Life tree will stand proudly in the Swan Centre in Kidderminster where dedication tags will decorate it alongside hundreds of lights, dedicated in memory to someone special with other special trees of remembrance also across the Wyre Forest district.

On Saturday, December 8 the main Light up a Life tree will be lit followed by a special service of celebration from 11am at Kidderminster Town Hall.

The service, which is free for anyone to attend, brings together family and friends of those remembered, with carols and special readings of remembrance.

Kemp Hospice Fundraiser Shelley Stanley said: “I know for many people that our Light up a Life campaign has become a festive tradition in the Wyre Forest.

“Christmas is such a very special time of year for families but for those who have lost a loved one it can be very difficult.

“Our thoughts often turn to those who are no longer with us and our Light up a Life campaign is a unique way to help people feel a little closer to them, and to make those memories shine.

“Everyone who donates and makes a dedication receives a dedication tag to add to one of our special trees, or to add to their own at home.

“Every light that shines on one of our trees this year is a unique, heartfelt tribute to those missed but definitely not forgotten.

“This year to mark the campaign’s anniversary and the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One there will be a very special un-named Light up a Life tag at the top of the tree in the Swan Centre that will be in memory of those locally who lost their lives in combat.”

Other Light up a Life trees will also be placed at Kidderminster Harriers, Co-op stores in Stourport, Tenbury Wells and Cleobury Mortimer as well as trees at Walton & Hipkiss Estate Agents in Kidderminster, Berrington Court Retirement Centre, Aylmer Lodge Surgery near Kidderminster Hospital, Wolverley GP surgery and Kemp’s Bewdley retail shop.

Anyone wishing to take part can visit www.kemphospice.org.uk/lightupalife or by call 01562 756077.