People wrote messages on ribbons and tied them to a giant heart at Cardiff’s St David’s shopping centre
FAMILIES remembered their lost loved ones in the run-up to Christmas by dedicating ribbons to them in a Cardiff shopping centre.
Donations to City Hospice were optional, but £1,376.50 was raised in total over the three days the event was held at the the St David’s Dewi Sant shopping centre from November 14 to 16.
“Often when people pass away, we don’t know whether we should talk about it,” said Katie Robinson, community fundraiser for the hospice. “At difficult times like Christmas, it is often when we think about them the most.”
People were invited to leave a message on a ribbon and tie it onto the hospice’s heart display on the first floor of the busy shopping centre.
The initiative also gave people the chance to speak about their loved ones to hospice staff.
“Sometimes it is easier to speak to somebody outside of the family. Even though a lot of us have been through this experience ourselves, we are objective, and it is easy for us to stand back and not judge,” said hospice volunteer, Joanne King.
Katie said that hosting the initiative in a large public place led to a “slow but steady” stream of people visiting.
This new initiative was part of the hospice’s annual Light up a Life appeal, which centres around remembering lost loved ones at Christmas.
The appeal is running from October 1- December 31. Donations can be made to the hospice throughout this period.
On their website, the hospice said: “We understand that, at times when families traditionally come together, we are reminded of happy moments, but we also feel the absence of those we have lost even more deeply.”
On Thursday, November 28, Llandaff Cathedral will host the hospice’s Light up a Life Christmas Remembrance Service. People can hear their loved ones’ names read out during the service. Tickets are free and can be bought here.
People can also leave a dedication on a Virtual Star in the Sky on the hospice’s website.
City Hospice is a Cardiff charity based in Whitchurch. It offers free palliative care and support to patients in their own home, as well as a day centre.
“We need to raise £3 million a year to keep the charity running,” said Katie. “Anything we provide in the hospice, we need to raise money for.”
The hospice gives support to families during their loved one’s illness, and after they have passed away.
Staff run services such as bereavement cafes, art and music therapy for children, welfare support and a counselling service.
Outreach bereavement clinics and cafes ensure that the hospice’s services extend beyond just their immediate patients.
“People are more inclined to donate their time and money, because it goes straight back to the community. They know where their money is going. It’s not getting swallowed up,” said Joanne.
All donations to the appeal will be match-funded by the Hodge Foundation.
The hospice’s website details the ways in which donations could be spent.
Forthcoming Light up a Life events can be found on the hospice website. Donations can be made here.
