This is Sussex --LIGHTS shone bright at an "emotional" service of remembrance at the K2 leisure centre on Sunday.
The annual Tree of Light ceremony, organised by St Catherine's Hospice, saw more than 900 people in attendance this year.
It gave families the chance to remember relatives they have lost, many of whom were cared for at the hospice in Malthouse Road, Southgate.
Visitors had the chance to place a light, representing their memories of a loved one, on a 20-foot tall Christmas tree.
Organiser Jen Wickham, from St Catherine's, said the event brought out different emotions for those present.
"The mood was a mixture of emotions, really," she explained. "It can be sombre for most people but generally it is a positive way to remember loved ones.
"Coming up to Christmas people find it difficult."
The ceremony saw a choir from St Bede's School, in Redhill, perform Christmas carols and other songs. And Olivia Beckwith sang the same song, You Are My Home, as she sang to her husband on their wedding day.
Olivia's husband recently passed away having been cared for by St Catherine's.
Jen said: "Olivia was brilliant. She spoke of her experiences and there were lots of comments about how brave she was."
Visitors were able to write a message in a book of remembrance, which was brought out on stage by Jan Thompson and Lynne Denyer, who are staff nurses for St Catherine's.
The hospice's spiritual care coordinator, Sue Clarke, led the service and read a prayer of dedication.
Jen added: "The Tree of Light is a fairly large service and we do get lots of people saying they get a great comfort from the event.
"They realise they are not the only ones going through it.
"The Tree of Light ceremony is positive for people and something they can attend with family and friends.
"When we have patients' family members telling their stories it helps others realise there are other people going through a similar situation."
Another smaller service organised by St Catherine's is taking place at Crawley United Reformed Church, on Worth Park Avenue in Pound Hill, on Sunday December 8 at 4pm. For more information on the Pound Hill service call Zoe Dolding on 01293 447374. Reported by This is 23 hours ago.