Rainbows has launched its Christmas appeal.

The Light up a Life appeal invites people to celebrate the memory of a loved one who has sadly passed away, or to acknowledge a treasured person by dedicating a light on the special Tree of Lights at the hospice.

Each dedication will be acknowledged with a commemorative Christmas card and we will add the name of loved ones to its Book of Remembrance, which is on display at the hospice during the festive period. We will also send people a special Light up a Life pin badge.

Katie Baxter, events and community manager at Rainbows, said: “Christmas is a time to think about those people we love and we invite you to dedicate a light on our special Tree of Lights at the hospice that will shine brightly during the festive period for them.Your light can be to celebrate the memory of a loved one, to acknowledge a special person in your life or as a special Christmas gift. At Rainbows, we care for more than 309 children and young people. We also support 278 bereaved families and 522 siblings and all the money raised will go towards supporting them.”

A donation of £10 could help to fund two days’ worth of oxygen for a child, £25 could help fund one hour of physiotherapy and £50 could go towards one day of care for a child or young person.

There is no minimum donation for a light and all money raised will go to support the work of Rainbows. For more information, visit www.rainbows.co.uk/lightupalife or contact 01509 638000