Nightingale’s Busy Year End – Nightingale have got plenty to report as far as their end-of-year activities are concerned. Here, we look at their Light Up A Life, Strictly Nightingale and JCB Charity Football Match events.
During the annual Light Up A Life service, Nightingale switches the hospice Christmas tree lights on for the first time. The twinkling lights offer a tribute to those who have played important roles in people’s lives.
Grateful To Everyone
Community Fundraiser Delyth Underwood explained, “We are grateful to everyone who dedicates a light in memory of a loved one and also to everyone who attends the service.
“These donations make a huge difference here at the Hospice and enable our medical team to continue to help others who need specialist palliative care.
“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of people living in my community and the support they give – it is wonderful to see.”
The service will take place on Sunday, 3rd December 2023, at 4:30pm in the grounds of Nightingale House Hospice on Chester Road. There are a number of other Light Up a Life Services in Bala, Connah’s Quay, Hanmer, Llangollen and Mold. You can find further information, including dates and times, on the Nightingale House website.
Pamela Valentine
Pamela Valentine, who will be reading the testimony at this year’s service in Wrexham (pictured with her husband Phillip and sons Matthew and Ben), said, “Nightingale House has played a huge role in my life and my family’s life. After my husband died, I went on to be chair of the Board of Trustees, so I have long known about the huge amount of effort that goes on behind the scenes, including organising events such as Light Up a Life.
“Phillip was diagnosed with terminal cancer at age 44 and spent a lot of his final months at the hospice. He received extraordinary care from the doctors and nurses there, and it always felt like a safe and welcoming space to spend time with him.
“While losing a close family member is always a painful experience, it was of great comfort that Phillip was afforded such dignity at the end of his life. My children, aged 7 and 8 at the time, were offered support from the Family Bereavement Support team during that time.”
You can make dedications of remembrance online. You can also leave a message and a photograph of your loved one as a light on the Nightingale House virtual Christmas Tree.
Alternatively, you can call the hospice on 01978 314 292 to get a dedication form to return, together with your donation.
We hope you’re enjoying reading “Nightingale Light Up A Life 2023”. Click here to read more of our stories about Nightingale House Hospice.
Strictly Nightingales
Strictly Nightingales 2023 raised a huge £48,000 for patient care! Together with strictly all-stars, 10 local company representatives came together to dance the night away. The event also featured an additional six amateur dancers from DTCC performing in group dances.
Four Expert Judges
Ten amateur dancers from local companies trained for months with their professional partners to perfect their routines. They competed for the Strictly Nightingales Trophy in front of four expert judges at Carden Park Hotel. The judging panel included Chloe Hewitt as the head judge, along with James Wilson, Lilia Kopylova, and Steve Williams.
Lynn Roberts, Human Resources Manager at Transcontinental, who sponsored the event, commented on the evening after watching her colleague Sarah Mazzarella dance in the competition, “Our company were proud to sponsor the Strictly Nightingales event. A wonderful, well-organised, special night of glitz, glam, dining and socialising, while raising much-needed funds for our wonderful local Hospice… Amazing!
During the night, Challenge Fundraiser Bethan Scott spoke about the support she and her husband, Dave, received in the final months of his life at Nightingale House Hospice. She discussed the new Inpatient Unit that will welcome patients in 2024, highlighting the importance of fundraising to ensure others in the community can experience the same level of care and dignity as Dave did.
“A Truly Magnificent Evening”
Sarah Povey discussed the successful night, “Strictly Nightingales was a truly magnificent evening. Thank you to all those who came and supported our dancers. They showed incredible bravery and commitment from day one, and it’s been a great journey with them.
Jon Cannock from The Uncommon Place and his professional partner Sophie Davies lifted the Strictly Nightingales trophy after wowing judges and audience alike.
If you would like to register your interest as a company representative contestant for Strictly Nightingales 2024, email sarah.povey@nightingalehouse.co.uk.
JCB
JCB in Wrexham recently organized a charity football match, raising an impressive £3622 for Nightingale House Hospice. The game was in memory of their colleague, Karl Davies.
A Poignant Tribute
In a poignant tribute, JCB‘s Axels Plant and Gearbox Plant teams competed in the Karl”’Llama” Davies Cup match. The event was a huge success and attracted over 700 spectators!
They hope to hold more football competitions like this one in the future to keep Karl’s memory alive.
Phil Bathers, Axel Assembler at JCB, said, “Karl worked at JCB for over 40 years. We wanted to do something that kept his name alive. I know that Karl’s family are forever grateful for the care Nightingale House provided him following his diagnosis, which is why we wanted to raise money for them.”
A Photo Of Karl
All the players wore a top that had a photo of Karl. The crowd also observed a minute of applause as a tribute to him.
After a 7-3 victory for the Axles Plant, everyone headed to Measgwyn Hall, where people enjoyed food and drinks. Karl’s family presented the Axles Plant team with the Karl ‘Llama’ Davies Cup.
Corporate Fundraiser at Nightingale House Hospice, Sarah Povey, explained how “It was wonderful to visit JCB transmissions and hear about the incredible efforts Phil and the team at JCB made to put on a fantastic Charity football match. The amount raised will make such a difference to Nightingale House.”
JCB is looking forward to making this football tournament an annual event in Karl’s memory.
We hope you enjoyed reading “Nightingale Light Up A Life 2023”. Finally, if you would like to read more charity articles, click here.
