St Gemma's Hospice - Light Up Leeds

Written by: Emily Rayner

St Gemma’s Hospice is an incredible charity which has provided expert care and support for the people of Leeds with cancer and life-threatening illnesses for over 40 years. The charity and their work is close to the hearts of some of the members of our Lights4fun team so it felt natural to support this local charity and their staff. We've supported St Gemma’s in their Light Up Leeds event since 2019 by transforming the walk into a magical atmosphere for the participants.

Handmade paper lanterns with micro lights inside in remembrance of loved ones.

Light up Leeds is an event in memory of a loved one or to show support for the amazing hospice and the work that they do. Participants in the walk receive sponsors in order to raise money for St Gemma’s to help them to continue to provide the love and care to the people of Leeds. The day before the event our team went to St Gemma's to dress the event; lighting up the memorial garden and path of life at the hospice with lanterns, candles and fairy lights.

Members of the Lights4fun team outside St Gemma's Hospice.
Members of Lights4fun placing micro lights inside the lanterns.
Members of Lights4fun after decorating the garden at St Gemma's Hospice.

The walk itself this year was either a 5.5 or 10 mile route around Leeds. Each participant received a lantern bag with cut out stars and a set of our micro lights inside so light could light up Leeds as they completed their walk. Some of the walkers decorated their bag and left it in the memorial garden when they completed their walk to pay tribute and in memory of a loved one.

A giraffe mascot posting with an Instagram post sign wrapped in fairy lights.
The lanterns placed next to a tree in the memorial garden at the end of the walk.

Find out more about the work they do at St Gemma’s Hospice and their future fundraising events below.