Families and friends are being invited to join together in remembering special people they have lost at a festive service taking place in Norwich next Wednesday.
Norwich Cathedral is hosting the city's annual Marie Curie Lights to Remember Service, and the poignant event is one of many taking place across the country.
Organised by Marie Curie Cancer Care, the services are a tribute to lost loved ones, a thank you to Marie Curie nurses for the special way they care for people at the end of their lives, and an important way of helping to raise valuable funds to support the cancer charity's vital work.
In return for a donation of any size, people are able to remember a loved one by dedicating a light and putting their loved one's name in a special book of remembrance that will be displayed at the service.
Paul Fleet, Norfolk community fundraiser for Marie Curie Cancer Care, said: 'The Lights to Remember service at Norwich Cathedral is a chance for people to remember loved ones lost to cancer or other diseases and give thanks to the nurses that do such an amazing job.
'It is a very poignant way of starting the Christmas celebrations with a lovely evening of carols, and the lights of the tree are turned on as part of the service.'
Marie Curie nurses provide specialist nursing care and emotional support to patients and their families at the end of their lives.
The care they provide is totally free to people with terminal cancer and other illnesses who want to be cared for at home.
Often working throughout the night, they make it possible for people to live their last days at home.
• The Marie Curie Lights to Remember Service is at Norwich Cathedral on Wednesday, December 11 at 7.30pm. Everybody is welcome and people are advised to arrive early.
• If people would like to dedicate a light and include a loved one's name in the book of remembrance they are invited to send their loved one's name and a cheque donation - made payable to Marie Curie Cancer Care - to Marie Curie Cancer Care, Unit 9 Mobbs Miller House, Ardington Road, Northampton, NN1 5LP.
They should also indicate this is for the Norwich Cathedral Lights to Remember service and include their name and address.
Marie Curie Cancer Care is grateful for all gifts whatever the size.
• There will be an opportunity for people to add names to the book of remembrance immediately before the service. People wanting to do so are advised to arrive early, ideally by 7pm.
• For more about Marie Curie Cancer Care visit www.mariecurie.org.uk
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