A CHARITY is offering family and friends the chance to dedicate a light in memory of a loved one as part of their annual Christmas appeal.

The North London Hospice's Light up a Life campaign aims to raise money towards support services for people with life limiting illnesses.

People are able to sponsor one of the hundreds of lights which will hang from a large horse chestnut tree outside the hospice, in Woodside Avenue.

The official switch on of the lights will take place at 4pm on Sunday, November 28. During the ceremony, people of all ages and faiths will join together to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones in a multi-faith service lead by hospice chaplains.

Organisers said every penny raised from the appeal funds the hospice's specialised and individual care.

One person, whose step-father was admitted to the hospice last year, said: “The nurses took such excellent care of my step-father and always had time to spend with him and our family.

“He was treated with compassion and dignity throughout. Even in the last few days of his life, they washed him really carefully and gently – giving him clean sheets and pyjamas each day which made such a difference to how we felt, even if he didn’t notice.

“The care he received meant he died with the absolute minimum pain and distress.”

The lights will remain on each evening from 4pm to 9pm until early January.

Anyone wishing to sponsor a light can call 020 8446 2288, drop into the hospice for a form, or visit www.northlondonhospice.org to donate online.