RESIDENTS are invited to remember a loved ones by dedicating a light on a very special tree.
Members of the Rotary Club of Rhos-on-Sea, with support from St David's Hospice, have carried out the Tree of Lights on the Cayley Promenade for 23 years.
The tree will shine out once again on November 27 at 4.30pm to celebrate or commemorate the lives of loved ones. The event has taken place virtually for the last two years.
This year's ceremony will be within the Griffiths Construction site, on the bottom of the main Promenade Road.
Pauline Hogan, Rotary President, said: “Our ceremony this Christmas will be directly below our tree on the bottom main Promenade Road.
"Having to cancel our event was a painful decision knowing that it means so much to so many. We are grateful to the Contractors, Griffiths Constructions and Conwy Council for their support of Rotary and St David’s Hospice and in turn, our community.
"The opportunity to remember our loved ones is so very important and dedicating a light at Christmas is a lovely way to do this commemorating those no longer with us. Every penny donated will go to St David’s Hospice supporting the vital work they do for all communities right throughout North West Wales.
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"St David's Hospice have been unable to hold as many fundraising activities because of Covid restrictions and they need our support more than ever. Despite everything, we will certainly see our Rotary Tree of Lights shine proudly on the Cayley Promenade once more this year with special meaning for all.”
A spokesperson for the club added: "Because of the Covid 19 restrictions, our local hospice has experienced very difficult times and sadly we have been unable to carry out our switch-on ceremony for the past three years as a Rotary Club.
"Costs of running the hospice in 2021 was about £5million but only nine per cent of that comes from the health board. This leaves £4.5million to be raised annually through voluntary means, such as the Tree of Lights.
"It is fair to say that the Rotary Tree of Lights has become an annual feature and very much an integral part of Christmas for our communities and also much further afield. The response to this annual appeal over the years has been overwhelming.
"Since it all started, over £365,000 has been donated to the hospice. We are, however, well aware that this annual event represents much more than just fundraising. Most of us have lost loved ones and our need to reflect and remember is so important."
Last Christmas, the tree was adorned new LED lights.
The spokesperson added: "These lights were made possible following the very kind sponsorship of the Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm and also the support of the Conwy Voluntary Services Council, Dŵr Cymru and Colwyn Town Council. All this will hopefully enable the event to carry on for many years to come.
"It was disappointing in past years to have to cancel our traditional switch on ceremony.
"Without going to the finer details, this was in the main because of the pandemic situation and public safety is paramount. Whilst Covid remains, this year, once again, we are faced with a different situation in that extensive works on the sea front are ongoing with a two way traffic system on the Cayley Promenade. Having regard to all this, in particular the fact there cannot be a road closure on the Cayley Promenade for this year, our ceremony will be held on the main Promenade Road, immediately below the Tree of Lights and within the enclosed Construction Site area with the very kind consent and support of the site Contractors, Griffiths Construction and Conwy Council."
Following the switch-on, a short video recording will be available for viewing on the Rhos on Sea Rotary Club and St David’s Hospice websites along with their respective Facebook pages.
Dedications can be made from now until the end of December through the coupon (above). Readers can print the coupon, fill it out and post it to St David's Hospice, Abbey Road, Llandudno, LL30 2EN.
Online donations can also be made via the St David's Hospice website.
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