Southampton residents can remember their deceased pets for the first time this year, thanks to a charity's Tree of Light campaign.
Communicare, a charity dedicated to eradicating loneliness in the city, is offering the chance to sponsor festive lights commemorating special causes and loved ones, including pets, this Christmas.
Annie Clewlow, Communicare's manager, said: "By sponsoring the lights on our trees, people can remember a lost loved one, or they can mark something special.
"Each light also helps support our charity, which befriends people in communities city-wide.
"Every year so far, we’ve just highlighted remembering people and people-related causes, but this year we’d like to extend this to animals and pets, as we appreciate how important they are in people’s lives and the significant contribution they make to someone’s wellbeing."
Communicare volunteer befriender, Lindsey Fraser, who is also an Olympian, a British team leader, and a diving coach, is sponsoring a light this year for her cat Zippy, who passed away in the autumn.
She said: "Communicare’s Tree of Light is a fantastic way to remember those we love who are no longer with us.
"I have recently lost my much-cherished cat, Zippy and will be remembering him with a light this year too."
Anyone who would like to sponsor a light is asked to make a minimum donation of £8.
The names of those being remembered will be recorded in a remembrance book and published on the charity’s website.
People can also send photographs, short poems/verses or a tribute for inclusion in the book.
Communicare’s two free Tree of Light switch-ons are on Saturday, November 30 at 5.30pm in the Woolston Millennium Garden or at St Mark’s Church on Archers Road on Sunday, December 1 at 5.30pm.
Everyone is welcome to these events regardless of whether they donate.
Annie added: "We’re very grateful to Woolston Millennium Garden, St Mark’s Church and Spectrum Signs, for their ongoing support.
"This event is so important in our fundraising and social calendar."
For sponsorship forms and more information about the 2024 Tree of Light campaign and events, visit their website.
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