A CHARITY’S Christmas appeal to help families remember departed loved ones is to be broadcast online for the first time.

Butterwick Hospice Care’s ‘Light Up a Life appeal’ is an annual tradition, which enables families to remember loved-ones at a special non-denominational service in the charity’s grounds at Stockton and Bishop Auckland.

Families are invited to dedicate a star on a Christmas tree to the memory of someone they have loved and lost, whether or not they received care from the hospice.

The services will be held at the Bishop Auckland hospice on Sunday, December 4, and at the Stockton-on-Tees hospice on Sunday, December 11. The Stockton service will mark the first time the charity has live streamed the proceedings to viewers at home through social media.

Ashleigh Wood, a member of the hospice’s fundraising team, said: “Light Up a Life is a national initiative that we’re always proud to join in with. Christmas is a time to show our appreciation for the people we love, and to remember those who have passed away.

“The appeal not only offers a chance to re-connect with them, but it also raises money towards the work Butterwick Hospice Care does in supporting people and their families during very difficult times in their lives.

“We’ve become aware that we have supporters who, for various reasons, aren’t always able to attend the service in person, so we’ve decided this year to bring the service to them by live streaming the whole ceremony at Stockton as it unfolds. We hope this will allow more people than ever to connect with their loved ones, each other, and their communities at this special time of year.”

As well as the official lighting of the Christmas trees, each service will also feature readings, dedications, carol-singing, and refreshments.

For more information about how to dedicate a light, visit https://www.butterwick.org.uk/category-events-2/ or contact the fundraising team at fundraising@butterwick.org.uk or 01642 628930.

Details of how to watch the live stream will be posted on Butterwick Hospice Care’s social media pages.