A West Midlands charity has invited people who have lost a loved one to join in its annual memorial tree ceremony.
The Beacon Forget Me Not Tree will be lit on Thursday 11 December (6.30pm) at a moving dedication ceremony and carol service at the sight loss charity’s Sedgley centre.
The tree will sparkle with hundreds of lights over the festive season, each one representing the memory of a local loved one.
Jenni Fryer, Beacon fundraising manager, said: “Every year at Christmas time we give people the opportunity to remember their loved ones by sponsoring a light on our Christmas tree.
“A sensitive service is held at the foot of the tree to help us to remember and to pray for the loved ones we have lost, which gives tremendous comfort to the people taking part as well as creating a lovely and meaningful focal point at the centre.
“The event is open to all and we look forward to welcoming friends and neighbours, local traders and Beacon service users to join us.”
Each light can be sponsored for a minimum donation of £5 and in return the donor will have the name of their love one included in a book of remembrance at the centre, on Wolverhampton Road East.
To sponsor a light, contract Kelly Vickers at Beacon on 01902 880111 or visit one of the charity’s seven shops – at Wolverhampton, Bilston, Bloxwich, Wednesbury, Cannock, Halesowen or the centre in Sedgley – and ask for a Forget Me Not Tree form.
Beacon offers a full range of facilities and support to blind and partially sighted people, including a mix of residential, day care and community services.
More than 3,000 people in the community receive support from a team of dedicated outreach workers and social groups can meet to participate in arts and crafts, music, fitness and IT sessions.
To find out more visit www.beacon4blind.co.uk