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Memorial parade lights up city's streets

BBC Participants of the torchlight parade walk through the streets of Lincoln. The majority of people are wearing warm, winter clothing and are carrying long candles which are burning. Trees are visible in the background.BBC
Thousands of people have taken part in a torchlit procession through the streets of Lincoln

A torchlit memorial parade has travelled through Lincoln ending with a memorial at the cathedral.

St Barnabas Hospice's Light Up a Life appeal set off from the Clayton Sports Ground at 19:30 GMT with thousands taking part.

The appeal, in its 24th year, offered people a chance to remember a loved one by dedicating a light in their name.

The walk filed past the Hospice on Nettleham Road to Lincoln Cathedral, where a tree of life was illuminated.

The memorial parade makes its way through Castle Square in Lincoln towards the city's cathedral which is visible in the background. The participants are holding long candles which have burning flames. The group is surrounded by historic stone buildings which are illuminated by lights and the walkers. The dark night sky is overhead.
The parade finished at Lincoln Cathedral where a tree of life was illuminated in a poignant ceremony

Suzanne Sheppard dedicated a light to her sister, Caroline, who died in 2023.

"Caroline’s cancer diagnosis turned our lives upside down. At the time she had only been married a couple of months," Ms Sheppard said.

Her sister was admitted to St Barnabas in June 2023, but her condition did not improve and she died on 3 July the same year.

“On the morning Caroline died, the inpatient staff gave us the time and space we needed to be with her and gather our thoughts.

“They lit a candle for her and another lady who had passed, and I found such comfort from that alone," Ms Sheppard added.

Ms Sheppard attended the event with her mother last year.

"It was such a memorable event, and we found peace in sharing the experience with others who had lost a loved one."

St Barnabas Hospice Three women looking into the camera taking a selfie. The woman on the left has blonde short hair and a pink headpiece and a dark blue dress with light blue flowers. She is wearing a gold necklace. The woman in the middle has long brown hair tied up and a black headpiece. She is wearing a V-neck white and black spotty dress. The woman on the right of the photo has blonde hair and has a yellow headpiece on. She has silver hoops and is wearing a green outfit. St Barnabas Hospice
Suzanne Sheppard (middle) has dedicated a light to her sister, Caroline (right), who died in 2023

The appeal raises money for the hospice through donations for memorial tags on the tree of life.

The procession was be led by the RAF Waddington Pipe Band and finished at Lincoln Cathedral, where the tree was illuminated.

Caroline Swindin, head of fundraising and lottery for the hospice, said: "It's incredible. It's very poignant and a lovely way for people to come together and remember loved ones."

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