Light up a Life for Leeds hospices launched as YEP Half and Half appeal hits £3m

The festive event offers people the chance to sponsor a light on a tree in memory of someone special in aid of the YEP's Half and Half Appeal. The appeal, which raises money for both St Gemma’s Hospice in Moortown and Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Headingley, has been running since 1982. Thanks to generous readers' donations the appeal has now exceeded the £3m mark and today stands at £3,005,811. The Christmas tree will still be going up at the Light shopping centre and will twinkle all Christmas in memory of lost loved ones. All names will also be displayed on a banner surrounding it, but there will be no special service this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic We ask that you make your donations only via our Virgin Money Giving page. We plan to run a roll of honour in the YEP on Saturday December 12 with the names of lost loved ones. We will only be able to print names, but you can include a message on our Virgin Money Giving page. We are also moving our Half and Half Appeal to the same Virgin Money Giving page for donations only. St Gemma’s and Wheatfields charity shops have had to close due to the pandemic and fundraising events have been cancelled. Sophia Last, senior fundraiser at St Gemma’s Hospice said, “This has been such a difficult year for us all; we have been apart from friends and family for a long period of time, and some of us have sadly lost loved ones during the pandemic. "Coming together and remembering loved ones this year is more important than ever. “By donating to the YEP Half and Half Appeal, you can remember those you are sadly missing, whilst making a real difference to other families who are facing the toughest of times. "Every single penny raised goes towards caring for local people with life threatening illnesses.” Michelle Darbyshire, community fundraiser at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice said: "We are appealing to our wonderful supporters to help us through this difficult time. "Our nurses and healthcare staff simply can't stop caring and with your support through the YEP Half and Half Appeal, we can continue to provide care to patients and their families during these challenging times." YEP editor Laura Collins, said: "The Light Up A Life appeal is something the Yorkshire Evening Post has been proud to be a part of down the years. "However, scarcely has there been such a moment in recent generations where a vigil like Light Up A Life was so badly needed, as the coronavirus pandemic has taken so many before their time. "The city's hospices continue to be among the most vital of causes, so please give generously."