Hundreds attended the special event during which a minute’s silence was held before the lights on the Treetops Christmas tree were switched on – all of which have been sponsored in memory of someone special.
Amongst those who attended were Tracey Glenn and her family from Stapleford. Tracey’s dad, Keith Betts, received Hospice at Home care when he was diagnosed with lung cancer just before Christmas 2007.
I really don’t know what we would have done without the exceptional help from Treetops Hospice Care
Tracey explained just how much the support meant to her family:
“I’m one of four children and we all pulled together to make sure one of us was with dad from early morning until late evening every day, but due to family and work commitments, we weren’t always able to stay with him overnight.
“At night was when he was at his most vulnerable as he was very weak and likely to fall and hurt himself if he needed to get up.
“I really don’t know what we would have done without the exceptional help from Treetops Hospice Care. Most nights were covered by one of the Hospice at Home nurses who were so professional, capable, friendly and understanding about the situation.
“Dad developed lovely relationships with the nurses and we felt that we could talk to them about any problems or concerns. There were never any rushed “handovers”- they always had time to sit and have a cup of tea with us, and tell us how dad had got on in the night.
“We were able to leave Dad overnight, safe in the knowledge that he had someone with him – which was also a great comfort and help to him.”
Over £12,000 has been raised
Over £12,000 has been raised through the Light Up a Life appeal for the hospice which provides nursing care and emotional support for adults and their families in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
The ceremony included performances by the Dalesmen Male Voice Choir accompanied by the Stapleford Salvation Army band.
Dedications were on display in Books of Remembrance in Treetops Cheetham Centre which hosts the hospice’s counselling and emotional support services. A copy of the Book of Remembrance can be found here: