First remembrance card placed on Warwick's Lights of Love tree

The first card of remembrance has been placed on the Christmas tree in Warwick town centre as a start to the annual Lights of Love campaign.

The Lights of Love campaign is a way for residents to remember loved ones.

It is organised by Warwick Rotary Club in partnership with the Town Council and the campaign raises money for the Mayors charities and Myton Hospices and this year the Mayor has pledged that all money raised will go to Myton Hospice.

The campaign usually starts with the lighting of the tree at the Victorian evening which has been cancelled due to Covid restrictions on crowds, as well as the carol service of dedication.

Lights will go on across Warwick on Friday (November 27).

At the weekend, Warwick Mayor, Cllr Terry Morris, put the first card on the Christmas Tree in Warwick Square accompanied by Warwick Rotary President David Brain.

Cllr Terry Morris said: "Ahead of Friday’s district-wide virtual Christmas light switch on, the Christmas tree has gone up in the market square.

"The tree has once again been kindly donated by Barn Close Nurseries and will feature the annual dedication cards bought by people who wish to remember loved ones at Christmas.

"I, along with David Brain, President of Warwick Rotary Club, put the first dedication cards on the tree.

"The card that I placed is in dedication of my late stepfather, Magnus, who died of cancer in 2009.

"I want to support The Myton Hospices to help ensure that they can continue to provide their wonderful services for many generations to come."

The Myton Hospices expects to see losses of at least £2 million in voluntary income this year as a result of the pandemic and is not yet certain of the financial impact of the second lockdown .

Despite this the charity continues to provide care and support for people with life limiting illnesses and their families, in its hospices and in the community, and is working hard to protect these vital services for the future.

Ruth Freeman, CEO of The Myton Hospices, said: "The Myton Hospices have suffered significant losses in income because of the impact of the pandemic.

"With events cancelled, shops closed and face to face activity becoming impossible the shortfall in fundraised income, which accounts for 80 per cent of the money needed to run Myton, will be in the region of £2 million.

"The organisation has made cost savings of £1.5 million but that still leaves a funding gap this year of £500,000.

"It is estimated that once the lockdown restrictions are lifted it will take up to two years to build income back to pre-Covid levels which means that total losses could amount to over £1 million and so the support of the local community is urgently needed now to protect Myton’s services today and in the future."

Anyone who would like to place a card on the tree can email their contact details to [email protected] and the team will give them a call to arrange everything or call 01926 492212.

Alternatively forms can be printed from www.warwickrotary.org.uk/warwick-lights-of-love/ and during lockdown these can be returned to Warwick visitor centre's letter box in Castle Street, Torreys or the Post Office.

Names of those remembered on the tree will be shown next to the tree, and on the Rotary website: www.warwickrotary.org.uk

The Mayor and Warwick Rotary Club would also like to thank Barn Close Nurseries for donating the tree.