Over 40 guests attended a special Lights of Honour event at Headingley Carnegie Stadium organised by the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice providing a chance for reflection and remembrance of lost loved ones and a chance to support the staff at the hospice with proceeds from the night supporting Sue Ryder Wheatfields
The evening service was organised by the Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice with the support of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and offered a chance for families, friends and supporters of Rhinos Foundation and the hospice to come along and celebrate the lives of people who had been cared for by the nurses and staff at the care home.
The event involved readings from Leeds Rhinos player Mitch Achurch, who recited the poem ‘Invictus’, readings from guests and Wheatfields Hospice staff along with musical support from a local choir who performed a series of festive carols for the occasion.
Attendees also helped raise funds for the hospice by buying a selection of 2016 calendars, festive gifts and Christmas cards, entering the raffle with some signed Leeds Rhinos merchandise on offer, as well as making donations.
Guests were also able to mingle with Rhinos players, Mitch Achurch, Brad Singleton and Jordan Baldwinson who chatted to guests and lent their support to the hospice, where former team mate Jamie Peacock's father was cared for in 2013.
As part of the event, guests were invited to make a written dedication to honour their loved one prior to the event with all names to be displayed on the big screen at this year's Festive Challenge on Boxing Day as well as kept in the Book of Honour at the stadium.
Leeds Rhinos Foundation's ongoing relationship with the Hospice has already paid dividends this year and the two organisations hope to continue the relationship into the future, Charlotte Stern from Sue Ryder commented:
"We were delighted to once again work in partnership with the Leeds Rhinos Foundation. The Lights of Honour is a very special event enabling people to remember and celebrate the lives of those they love and miss. We know that this season can be very emotional and difficult for some which is why remembrance events are so important both at the hospice and in the local community.
"The support of the Leeds Rhinos and The Leeds Rhinos Foundation throughout 2015 means that we can continue to provide incredible care to the people of Leeds. All care services at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice are free of charge. Every year the hospice needs to raise over £2.5 million in donations to continue to provide its specialist care services and it is through partnerships, such as the one with the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, that we are able to keep our doors open."
The Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Wheatfields Hospice would like to thank everybody who attended for their continued support and pass on their best wishes for this festive season.