THE HO HO HO-lidays are just around the corner and Derian House Children’s Hospice has a festive calendar packed full of events – with plenty of ways for supporters to get involved.
Each year the Chorley hospice goes all-out to celebrate the Christmas season to raise vital funds, as well as spreading joy for the 450 children and young people that it cares for.
First off on the Christmas list is “Deck the Halls” – the event that will see homes across the North West untangle their fairy lights to create show-stopping light displays outside their homes throughout December.
Derian House will be sharing a map of all the homes involves so that families can take the Deck the Halls tour and donate to help us raise money for our children and young people.
Closer to home, there’s also the “Trees of Love” festive event which sees the grounds of the hospice in Chorley transformed into an enchanted forest during the month of December.
In return for a £100 donation, supporters can sponsor a 6ft Nordmann fir Christmas tree at the hospice – along with a special tribute or message to a loved one.
This year there is also the new option to dedicate an engraved dove decoration to someone special for just £25. These will hang from Derian House’s own Christmas tree in the heart of the hospice.
But this year isn’t just all about trees!
Derian’s elf army is still growing strong with young people across Lancashire and South Cumbria selling the hospice’s infamous Christmas plush toys – including the brand new reversible Christmas cuddle cups – to school friends, family members and sports clubs. Every year these furry friends raise tens of thousands of pounds for the hospice!
December will also see the return of Derian House’s annual “Lights of Love” concert being held at Blackburn Cathedral on Friday, 2 December at 7.30pm. The service includes heartfelt festive readings, Christmas carols and performances by The Rawstorne Singers and The Local Vocals Choir. Tickets are free, but must be booked at www.derianhouse.co.uk
And after Christmas the opportunities to support Derian House continue with a Christmas tree recycling service, running on 6 Jan and 7 Jan. Every Christmas tree recycled by the charity will be used in an environmental project to protect the sand dunes on the Fylde coast.
Mick Croskery, Fundraising Manager at Derian House, said: “Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year at Derian House, and we have a calendar packed full of festive cheer for anyone who wants to get involved.
“Whether it’s decorating your home for Deck the Halls, dedicating a Tree of Love, joining our Elf Army, or recycling your tree – it all goes towards vital care for Derian’s children and families.
“It costs £5.7 million to run services at Derian House with only 17% of this coming from statutory sources and the rest coming our incredible supporters.”
Get involved with Deck the Halls for Derian House: https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/events/deck-the-halls/
Find out more about Trees of Love and how you can dedicate a Christmas tree to a loved one: https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/events/trees-of-love/
Reserve a spot at the Lights of Love service in December: https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/events/lights-of-love-2022/
If you would like to join Derian’s Elf Army, contact Senior Elf Handler Ann-Marie on 01257 271271 or fill in the form: https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/events/join-our-elf-army/
If you would like to recycle your Christmas tree with Derian House, fill out the form: https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/events/tree-recycle/
