Each year the event has been attended by more and more families. This year saw not only many new families that we have been supporting but also families that have been with the charity since the beginning. When we first thought of holding a Memorial Evening we were not sure if many people would attend but each year we have been overwhelmed by the amount of families that have come along but also the support we have been shown by them.
The memorial has become a place where lots of us meet up to see how we have been through the last 12 months. It feels like a family coming together for their annual reunion. We start the preparation for the event much earlier in the year but November and the start of December becomes really busy for us as we begin to get the baubles and gifts ready for the night.
This year we made up many more baubles and bought lots more candles. The baubles are always a lovely way for the families attending to write a message to their angels, many leave them on the tree throughout the Christmas period whilst some take them home to put on their own tree. The tree always looks beautiful and it definitely shows how loved our angels are.
Every year we make up a small gift for each person who attends the event, it is our way of showing them that they are being thought of and that we understand how important it is to be there for each other through the toughest times of your lives.
This year we were very honoured to have the choir from local primary school, Windmill Music Academy, come along to start the evening by singing some Christmas carols. The children were fantastic and definitely a brilliant way to begin.
Once the choir had finished Father Andrew said a few words before beginning the 'Roll of Honour'. This year we received so many names to add to our Honour Roll and if the families were not able to attend the event someone from the charity lit their candle for them. We also take pictures of the candles to send to those who couldn't make it to make them feel part of the evening. This year we lit 180 candles.
Once all the candles had been lit the lights in the church were lowered and music was played allowing time for people to have some quiet reflection time, prayer or just to think about their precious angels. It was very emotional seeing so many candles and knowing that each one represented a child that was no longer with their family.
We always have tea, coffee and juice available, and for the last 2 years we have been so lucky to have staff from Beaverbrooks the Jewellers donate their time to help at the event. It really does mean a lot to us when we have other agencies want to come along and help us and the families we support.
The evening is finished with a raffle, this year we had some amazing prizes donated.
We would like to say thank you to everyone who came on the night and those that were unable to attend in person but were still part of the night. Without the help and support of all of you we would not be able to continue to offer the current services we do.
Fundamentally the evening is about remembering and honouring our special angels but through the raffle and other donations we were able to raise a fantastic £232.
2019 is already looking to become an amazing year for the charity and we hope you all join us at next years Memorial Service.
