David has been supporting Light up a Life in memory of his wife Jenny since 2014. He shares with us why remembering her in this way means so much to him; 

“When Jenny and I met in 1968, I had just come out of a shortened military career, I was in a bit of a storm-tossed sea and she brought me into a harbour, we were hardly ever apart until she died in 2011. She made me want to create a life here, we had a very small family farm and two lovely daughters, we now have six grandchildren, which unfortunately she’s only met two of, but I know she’s watching down.  

Grief is very selfish, I learnt quickly that there would be no getting over losing her, the disbelief of her not being there. But I knew Jenny wouldn’t want me falling to pieces every minute, she wouldn’t want me to feel guilty for still being here, she would want me to live properly and look after our daughters. So that’s what I had to do.  

During that first year, I found myself outside the Nottinghamshire Hospice shop more than once. I didn’t know if an introvert like me could be of any use in a shop, but I owed it to Jenny’s legacy to try.  

Volunteering was a giant step for me, but such an important one. Being in the shop brought some calm into my life, I stayed at it for about 3 years. I will always be thankful to the team at the shop who gave me support and guidance, they gave me a world of good.  

That is how I first heard about Light up a Life and that’s precisely what Jenny was in my life; a light I want to keep shining. Supporting Light up a Life in her memory was making her alive again, bringing her into the light where she belongs, among the many others whose light still shines for them.  

She did say I don’t want to be forgotten and she never will be, Light up a Life means I can remember her as she was. She was not only my light, but she was a light to all she met.  

The work and dedication of everyone at the Hospice soon became clear to me, they all do a wonderful job, I will always be a supporter there’s no doubt about it. Jenny would do the same, helping others was a big thing for her and I am always trying to follow in her footsteps the best I can.  

What will survive us all is love, the only way to prove that is to live fully, even when they are gone. Light up a Life is a living memorial to a person you loved.”

Help others like Jenny and David

Our care is special and is a lifeline for people caring for loved ones at the end of their life. We offer relief in their darkest moments and help more people die at home surrounded by home comforts and loved ones.

Please consider a donation to our Light Up a Life appeal. Your kindness today will bring light and warmth to a family facing the toughest of times.

We will add your dedication as a star on our virtual ‘Night Sky’, which you can view here.

This year, you can also choose to have a special lantern to light in their memory – request one when you make a dedication on our Night Sky.