City Hospice, Cardiff’s local hospice, held a festive event to reflect and remember loved ones as one of the charity partners of Christmas at Bute Park.
Hosted by the charity’s ambassador Sian Lloyd and sponsored by Keen Insurance, the event on December 11 began at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
More than 200 guests including the Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Cardiff and Lady Mayoress Councillor Graham Hinchey and Mrs Anne Hinchey, families and members of the community enjoyed a series of special performances by local ensembles and musicians.
Cardiff Male Voice Choir and Y Gerddorfa Ukelele Gymreig took part in the event, in addition to harpist Benjamin Creighton Griffiths and Rock Choir both of whom had supported the charity earlier in the year during their Forever Flowers campaign.
Following the festive performances, supporters followed the award-winning 1.4km light trail through the grounds of Bute Park.
City Hospice is one of the charity partners of Christmas at Bute Park this year, along with AP Cymru. The immersive light trail, now in its second year, transforms the popular city park into a winter wonderland full of illuminations, sculptures and special effects curated by Welsh creatives.
Rock Choir also braved the cold evening to provide a festive performance at the end of the light trail.
Liz Booyse, Chief Executive of City Hospice, said: “Whilst Christmas is a joyous time for most, for those dealing with the loss of a loved one it can be incredibly difficult. We are honoured to be a charity partner of Christmas at Bute Park this year and worked closely with them to hold this exclusive event to give families affected by bereavement the space to enjoy this amazing experience whilst still holding the loved ones they have lost close.”
Gareth Keen, Managing Director at Keen Insurance, said: “Every time we sit and listen to the work of City Hospice it is simply humbling. We can only admire and applaud their efforts within the community and support the charity as much as we can.
“Events like this are special as we remember those we have lost in recent years as well as celebrate their lives. We were delighted to support such a wonderful evening of music, spectacle and good company.”
Roxy Robinson, Creative Director at From the Fields, said: “We feel really honoured as a team to have played a really small role in facilitating such a poignant gathering, which means so much to many people, and really delighted that the hard work we’ve put in to creating the wider Christmas at Bute Park event has been of use in such a meaningful way.
“The work City Hospice does to support families is so important – not just at Christmas but whenever they need them – to those relying on their services, and we are really thankful to have been given the opportunity to support them.”
