Leeds loved ones remembered at Light Up A Life

The event, held at The Light shopping centre tonight, gave all our readers a chance to sponsor Christmas tree lights in memory of someone special, with each dedication listed in a roll of honour by the tree and in the paper.

Vital funds were raised by the event for our long-running Half and Half Appeal, which since 1982 has made nearly £3m for two Leeds institutions, Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice and St Gemma’s Hospice.

This year’s total Light A Life Donation amounted to £7,296, beating the 2017 sum raised.

Liz Baker, 43, and Dawn Booth, 51, both of Cookridge, attended in memory of their friend Petra Rogers, who was 41 when she died of cancer seven years ago.

Liz said: “I’ve been coming for the last seven years. It’s really special, it helps us remember our friend. She loved Christmas – she was Mrs Christmas. It was such a special time for her.”

Petra was at Wheatfields Hospice, said Dawn, who added: “The staff couldn’t have been more supportive, they were just brilliant.”

YEP editor Hannah Thaxter also attended the event.

“I think everyone here knows all too well that Christmas is a time when happiness and sadness go hand in hand,” she said.

“It is a time when we miss our lost loved ones even more.

“But the purpose of Light Up A Life, as well as to remember those we have lost, is also to help raise funds for two organisations that do such marvellous work for the people of Leeds and the city of Leeds.”