Volunteer Jean remembers Len in hospice appeal

She is supporting the initiative, which gives people the chance to raise vital funds by sponsoring a light in the hospice gardens in memory of a loved one, after the facility provided Mr Riley with a ‘safe haven’ when he was poorly.

Mrs Riley - who first started volunteering for the Pontefract hospice 21 years ago following the death of her friend - brought Mr Riley along to the facility’s Day Therapy in March this year, as she knew he would receive excellent care.

In April, he was admitted to Incare for several days before retuning home for a couple of weeks. The following month, as his health deteriorated, Mr Riley was returned to Incare, where Mrs Riley and her children were able to stay with him throughout the night, until he passed away.

This year, Mrs Riley will be attending the Light Up a Life services in memory of Len, as well as her friend. She said: “The services are very comforting, and it is lovely how people come together to remember their own loved ones. This year I will be attending the service at St Giles’ with the children, so that we can all remember Len together.”

Light up a Life is open to everyone, not just those touched by hospice care. The initiative gives people the chance to have their loved ones’ names displayed in the Hospice Book of Lights which will be available to view at all of the services.

The names will also be printed in the Express. Due to the high volume of dedications received, please check future issues if yours has not been printed. Visit www.pwh.org.uk/light or call 01977 708868.