East of England community unites for Sue Ryder’s annual Celebrate a Life event
People gathered at Sue Ryder's annual winter remembrance event last week to honour the lives of those who meant so much to them and reflect on the special memories they shared.
Sue Ryder Celebrate a Life East of England, hosted by the palliative care and bereavement support charity, which runs Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice in Bedford, was held at Trinity Arts and Leisure, Bedford, on Thursday 4 December.
The evening event featured a mix of uplifting music from a newly formed choir made up of staff from the Bedford Sue Ryder hospice, together with the well-established Alma Singers from Great Barford. There were also poignant poems and moments of quiet reflection led by celebrant Sophie Harris, as well as the chance for attendees to write a personal dedication to someone close to their heart.
Reflecting on the event, Practice Educator at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, Nicola Fountain, who helped bring the staff choir together, said: “The evening was truly unforgettable, not only because of the beautiful music, but also thanks to the wonderful collaboration between the St John’s Hospice Choir and the Alma Singers. To top it all off, the way the audience joined in with our last song created such a special, shared moment - one we’ll treasure for a long time.”
This year's event coincides with Grief Awareness Week 2-8 December), a time to raise awareness of the support available and to encourage open conversations about bereavement and grief. The theme ‘Growing in Grief’ was poignantly reflected at the event, with each attendee taking home a seeded heart to keep or plant in spring.
Beka Avery, Regional Head of Wellbeing and Community Support for Sue Ryder in the East of England, adds: “While we can’t stop terminal illness, death, and grief from happening, we can stop people from feeling alone. That’s why our Sue Ryder Celebrate a Life East of England event is so important, offering a safe, warm, and supportive space for people to connect with others, bringing comfort to many. Thank you to everyone who made the event such a special occasion.”
For those who were unable to attend, you can still honour and celebrate the life of someone special by leaving a message on our Sue Ryder Dedication Wall
If you are grieving and need support, find out more about Sue Ryder bereavement support services, including our Online Bereavement Community, and the Grief Guide by visiting: sueryder.org/FindSupport