Support St Luke’s annual Tree of Lights ceremony
Each year St Luke’s Combined Hospices host their annual Tree of Lights event on the first Sunday in December and this year it takes place on December 5.
St Luke's Combined Hospice, which has their head office at 92 Harfield Road, Kenilworth, was established in 1980, providing palliative care to patients facing life-threatening illnesses as well as support to their families from an interdisciplinary team approach – all thanks to the support of people in their private capacity, companies and trusts whose donations keep their services going.
It is not well-known that other than patients on medical aids, St Luke’s, which has satellite community hospices across the Western Cape, provide this service and support at no cost.
At any given time, they provide a palliative, nursing, care service for over 800 patients, with life-threatening illnesses, and their families.
Their work is supported by their six community hospices and their in-patient unit, in Kenilworth. Palliative care improves the quality of life for patients when it is no longer possible to add days to their lives.
The annual Tree of Lights Ceremony aims to raise R5 million for the organisation until the end of the financial year. Sadly, due to the impact of Covid-19, they are not halfway there.
At sunset on December 5, the lights on the tree will be switched on in memory of those loved and lost.
For the event, donors can purchase a light in memory of a loved one and attend the ceremony as the tree is lit up on the evening.
Only 200 people can be accommodated due to Covid-19 protocols, so come early and grab the best spot. Due to the regulations, no market will be hosted, so take along your picnic baskets, blankets and chairs. Snacks will be on sale.
This year, singer and song-writer, Tarryn Lamb, The Caledonian Pipe Band, saxophonist Charl Clayton and many others have volunteered to perform at the event and entertain guests.
Entry is free, there will be limited parking on site and strict Covid-19 protocols will be followed – no mask, no entry.
For more information about the event, call 021 797 5335, email zarahd@stlukes.co.za or juanitah@stlukes.co.za and for more information about St Luke’s Combined Hospices, log on to www.stlukeshospice.co.za