Remembering someone special this winter: Rowans Hospice launches Light up a Life and Christmas appeal
Rowans Hospice is inviting the community to remember loved ones through its annual Light up a Life events, while supporting the vital care provided to local patients and families this Christmas.
Christmas can be a time of togetherness, treasured traditions and making memories with the people we love. But for those missing someone special, it can also bring moments of reflection and longing.
And for families facing the end of life, Christmas can be especially precious.
Light up a Life: remembering someone special
As Christmas approaches, we may find ourselves thinking a little more about the people who are no longer here to share it with us.
Light up a Life is a campaign shared by hospices across the UK, offering an opportunity to remember someone special. Through Rowans Hospice, you can make a dedication, receive a robin tree decoration as a keepsake, or remember a loved one in the Order of Service booklets for our Service of Remembrance and Lake of Lights events. Donations help us continue providing vital care and support to local patients and families.
Care that continues through Christmas
While many look forward to Christmas morning and precious time with loved ones, some families will be facing the possibility of spending their last Christmas together. Throughout the festive season, Rowans Hospice nurses will continue to provide specialist care and support, helping patients and families navigate some of life's most difficult moments.
“At Rowans, we do not pretend that Christmas makes the difficult things disappear. Sadness and grief can begin long before someone dies. Our role is to care for the patient and support their family so they can face those difficult times together, while still making space for love, connection and the moments that matter,” says Amy Russell, Clinical Lead at Rowans Hospice.
From managing pain and offering reassurance to answering difficult questions, the team helps families make the most of their time together.
Remember, give and make a difference
Whether you want to remember a loved one or help make Christmas special for families facing the end of life, there are several ways to support Rowans Hospice. You can make a Light up a Life dedication, join us at one of our remembrance events or donate to our Christmas appeal. Every gift helps us continue providing vital care to local patients and families.
Free Service of Remembrance at Portsmouth Cathedral on Wednesday 18 November. Doors open at 6.30pm ahead of the 7pm service. Places are limited, so booking is required: https://www.rowanshospice.co.uk/event/service-remembrance/
Free Lake of Lights event at Canoe Lake, Southsea, on Sunday 13 December, from 5pm to 7pm. You can dedicate a floating candle in memory of someone special and take a moment to reflect alongside others in the community: https://www.rowanshospice.co.uk/event/light-up-a-life-lake-of-lights-2026/
To make a dedication or donate to help fund our care, visit www.rowanshospice.co.uk/donate or call Rowans Hospice on 023 9225 0001.
There are other ways to support Rowans Hospice this festive season, too: Our Christmas cards are available to buy online at www.rowanshospice.co.uk/shop-with-us/. Our popular Christmas tree collection returns in January, with the collection area now covering Petersfield for the first time. Bookings open on 15 November at www.rowanshospice.co.uk/event/christmas-tree-collection/
“Every day, we need to raise £23,700 to provide hospice care free of charge to local people and their families. Every donation, dedication and act of support helps us continue providing this care, so that families can spend precious time together when it matters most,” concludes Amy.