“Being with others who have experienced the same can bring such comfort at this time of year”

Celebrate a Life Bedfordshire, hosted at Bedford School, De Parys Avenue at 7.30pm on Tuesday 17 December and organised by the team at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, offers a safe space for people to come together and remember loved ones. Having worked for Sue Ryder for 24 years, Allison has attended many of the charity’s special remembrance events and has seen first-hand the comfort they bring.

“Being there with other people who are remembering someone special, being with others who have experienced the same things as you, brings such comfort especially at this time of year,” Allison shares.

“It is really heartwarming to see how the event gives comfort to others, no matter what stage of grief they are. People come in; people hug each other. And it is truly magical moment when messages are put on the softly lit memory trees.”

Allison hopes to encourage people to return to the event if they haven’t been for a number of years.

“Even if you dip in and out for a few years, or whether it is your second, fifth, tenth, or fifteenth anniversary of losing someone, this special remembrance event is still there for you to go back to, and the team here at Sue Ryder are always there for you too.” People don’t need to have had any previous contact with or had a loved one cared for by Sue Ryder to attend either, Allison adds.

“Sue Ryder Celebrate a Life provides a relaxed and safe space to be, and it is a good environment to bring back memories.”

“If you’re grieving, or want to remember someone close to you this time of year and you have never experienced Sue Ryder Celebrate a Life, please come and join us. It is a safe haven with a gentle atmosphere and refreshments available afterwards. Everyone receives a warm welcome.”

Sue Ryder Celebrate a Life Bedfordshire takes place on Tuesday 17 December at 7.30pm at Bedford School, De Parys Avenue Bedford. The event is free to attend and is open to anyone who wishes to remember someone important, regardless of when they died and if they were a patient of Sue Ryder. Featuring readings, songs and live music performances, guests are also invited to write a personal dedication to remember and appreciate the life of someone special, which will be displayed at the event.      Limited spaces are available.

For more information and to register to attend visit www.sueryder.org/Remember or contact the Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice Fundraising Team via [email protected] or call 01767 642424.  Sue Ryder offers a range of free grief support at sueryder.org/grief