Light Up EACH Life will be a celebration of the life of every child and family the charity currently cares for and has cared for in the past. EACH offers light to families in the darkest of times. To honour this the campaign will focus on elements of light as a way of celebrating every family. Light Up EACH Life will run from 1st to 9th December with a range of ways that people can show their support.
One local family who use services through EACH have shown their support for the campaign. Seven year-old Abbie Denston and her family are from Cherry Hinton, the whole family uses services at the charity’s hospice in Milton. Abbie has a very rare genetic condition called CACNAI-1-A – meaning she has severe epilepsy, is tube fed and has repertory problems which cause a lot of chest infections. She uses a wheelchair and is unable to communicate verbally.
One of Abbie’s favourite things to do at the hospice is to visit the sensory room. EACH has a sensory room at all three of their hospices - these rooms contain a variety of technology using lights, sounds and tactile equipment that can either stimulate or relax the senses depending on the individual.
Abbie’s mum Lisa said: “Abbie loves the sensory room. She generally doesn’t react to things at all – but the sensory room brings something out in her. The lights make her really focus and you can tell she’s enjoying herself – it’s amazing and lovely to see. I love being in there with her to see what she enjoys and then I can try to replicate that at home. The use of this room has been brilliant – every time she uses I see a change in her.”
“Light Up EACH Life sounds like a fantastic campaign – EACH really has brought light to our family through really tough times. The services we receive mean so much, I hope as many people as possible will support this campaign to make it a success.”
Light UP EACH Life will see a range of events and activities taking place with something for all ages to take part in.
On Saturday 8th December the Light Up EACH Life Christmas Concert with Sing! Choirs will take place at St Andrew’s Baptist Church with a medley of uplifting songs. On the same night, iconic buildings across Cambridge city centre will be illuminated in EACH colours – purple and orange. EACH is encouraging people to take a tour of these historic sites - buildings are still signing up to take part so keep an eye out for a full list nearer the time.
As well as events, the charity will be running a range of online initiatives. EACH will be asking individuals and businesses to show their support for the campaign via social media using the hashtag #LightUpEACHLife. So whether you light a candle in someone’s memory, fill your room in fairy lights or decorate your Christmas tree in EACH purple and orange colours – EACH would like to hear from you.
Polly West, EACH Community Fundraiser - Cambridge, explained: “Light Up EACH Life is a celebration of the children and young with life-threatening conditions that we currently support, those we have supported in the past and their families. EACH makes a real difference to the lives of children like Abbie and her family.
“The families we work with tell us what a lifeline EACH is to them – that our services give them light at the darkest of times. Celebrating the families we work with at Christmas, which is such a special time of year, will make it all the more poignant.
“There are so many ways you can get involved – visit our website to find out all the details. We’d love to hear from you and find out how you are lighting up each life so please use #LightUpEACHLife so we can share your support – thank you!”
To buy tickets for the concert, or for more information about the different ways you can get involved in the Light Up EACH Life campaign, visit www.each.org.uk/LightUpEACHLife.