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Hospice tree shines in memory of lost relatives

Pauline McGarrity and niece Stacey McLoughlin sponsor a light on the NI Hospice tree in memory of her husband Gerry. Picture by Hugh Russell
Pauline McGarrity and niece Stacey McLoughlin sponsor a light on the NI Hospice tree in memory of her husband Gerry. Picture by Hugh Russell Pauline McGarrity and niece Stacey McLoughlin sponsor a light on the NI Hospice tree in memory of her husband Gerry. Picture by Hugh Russell

FAMILIES bereaved by cancer and other life-limiting conditions have taken part in a candlelit procession in north Belfast in memory of their lost loved ones.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Northern Ireland Hospice Christmas tree on Somerton Road on Thursday night to support the charity's special Lights to Remember ceremony.

Each light on the tree is dedicated to people who have lost their battle with cancer.

Paul Collins and his daughters, Lily (12) and Freya (8) from Belfast switched on the lights, in memory of their wife and mother, Kirstie.

The brave family made the decision to help the NI Hospice in honour of Kirstie, who passed away having received hospice care for motor neurone disease (MND) in August 2012.

The annual event is now in its 21st year. Families, nurses, doctors, staff and supporters of the NI Hospice gathered for the special remembrance ceremony at Dominican College, Fortwilliam before making a candlelit procession to the site where the new adult hospice is being built on Somerton Road.

Among those to support the appeal was Pauline McGarrity from Glengormley, whose husband Gerry (53) lost his battle with prostate cancer in March.

She described the support they received from the hospice as "amazing".

"When you first mention hospice, it's terrifying and the first experience of the hospice was a year before Gerry actually died. He was taken into it as he was very, very ill.

"But we were lucky, in the sense that we got a lot of fantastic support... It wasn't just a job to them, they genuinely care for the people."

More than 5,000 families and individuals sponsored a light on the NI Hospice tree last year. This year, NI Hospice is aiming to raise £200,000 through the appeal.

NI Hospice chief executive Heather Weir said: “This Christmas, many people will be missing someone they have lost. Sponsoring a light on the hospice tree is a special way to remember them, whilst supporting local people with terminal illnesses and their families."

Anyone wishing to sponsor a light can make a donation by calling 028 9077 7123 or visiting www.nihospice.org