Much loved local charity, Cherry Lodge Cancer Care, asked Theresa Villiers MP to switch on their Christmas lights at the Spires shopping centre in High Barnet at the weekend. This “Lights of Love” ceremony is an annual event and attracts a crowd of Cherry Lodge supporters.
Cherry Lodge is a Barnet-based charity that works to improve quality of life for those living with cancer and those that care for them, offering services that range from counselling to assistance with wigs.
In the past, the lights have been placed on a tree in the Spires shopping centre, but because of renovation work this year the ceremony took place just outside at the bandstand. Cherry Lodge puts together a list of names of those cared for by Cherry Lodge, and those whose family or friends want them to be remembered through a light. The names are read out, followed by readings, singing, and a minute’s silence, after which the lights are switched on.
Theresa, a patron and long-term supporter of Cherry Lodge Cancer Care, said: “I am a proud supporter of Cherry Lodge and the work that they do. The lights are a great visual way to keep people in our thoughts, and to show them that they are not forgotten. It was an honour to be asked, once again, to switch on the Cherry Lodge lights.”
Freddy Kater, a volunteer with Cherry Lodge, said “The Lights of Love is a reflective event: it’s about remembering those whom we care about: some of whom are no longer with us, others still are. The Lights of Love are a way of representing those who are important to us. I’ve seen people who I know through Cherry Lodge six, seven years ago and they still want to come to this event. People give whatever they want to give.”