Oxfordshire cancer support charity to remember loved ones

The Hummingbird Centre, in Launton, near Bicester, will open its doors for its Light the Light event on Friday, December 6, from 4pm to 6.30pm, giving people the chance to reflect on the past year.

People are invited to attend, have a festive drink and mince pie, and enjoy dancing and entertainment from duo Sparky and Sprite, who will perform a mixture of songs.

The evening will culminate with the indoor and outdoor Christmas tree lights being switched on at 5pm.

Guests will have the chance to toast the festive season as well as quietly reflect on 2024.

The memory tree (Image: The Hummingbird Centre) Ahead of the event, volunteers from The Hummingbird Centre will unwrap tiny hearts bearing the names of almost 3,500 loved ones, which will be hung on two large memory trees.

Mechelle Harris, founder of The Hummingbird Centre, said: "The Light the Light event has been a long-held tradition for the centre and is a low-key ceremony aimed at bringing the community together with the opportunity to remember loved ones we have lost, or just reflect on the year, whether that has been good or bad.

Mechelle Harris, founder of The Hummingbird Centre (back left), alongside Kelly Squires and (L-R front row) Sian Harvey, Zoe Draper, and Kirsty Anders (Image: The Hummingbird Centre) "This is an open invitation for all the community, for our guests and their families, and we would love people to join us.

"There will be tea, coffee, drinking chocolate and mulled wine, as well as mince pies.

"It will be a chance to give thanks, reflect, and welcome the festive season."

Over the past few months, staff and inmates at Bullingdon Prison have been making wooden stars to support the centre’s fundraising.

They are now available at the centre for people to buy and add a name or message.

The centre is asking for a donation, and all stars will be added to the Christmas tree.

Ms Harris added: "We would like to thank the staff and inmates of HMP Bullingdon Prison for making the stars for us.

"They are a wonderful addition to our Christmas event, and we would urge people to get in touch quickly in order to get their hands on one."

People can donate any amount they would like to, with all funds going towards the continuation of the services The Hummingbird Centre provides, supporting families impacted by cancer across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire.

Since opening in 2014, the centre has supported thousands of people, but relies entirely on donations and volunteers to enable it to operate.