Dove House Hospice is transforming its grounds into ‘A Garden Lit with Love’
This Christmas, something truly special is happening at Dove House Hospice. For the first time ever, the east Hull hospice will transform its gardens into A Garden Lit with Love, a stunning display of lanterns and festive lights shining brightly for patients, their families, and the wider community.
For some, Dove House is where they will spend their final Christmas. The display will bring warmth, comfort and beauty to the heart of the hospice, creating a space where families can share quiet, cherished moments together. For patients, it means looking out at something uplifting and feeling part of the season they have always loved.
The lights shine into rooms and shared spaces, a daily reminder that the world outside is still full of warmth and beauty. For families, the garden becomes a place to gather, reflect, and make memories, a backdrop to final conversations, gentle laughter, and love that lasts beyond words.
Rosie Taylor, inpatient unit sister at Dove House, said: “As a nurse, I see how much the little things mean to our patients at Christmas. For most, it will be their last, and the lights in the garden will bring a sense of normality and joy.
“Looking out to see that glow will remind them they’re still part of the season and surrounded by love and care.”
Businesses across Hull and East Yorkshire are invited to give a gift of light this Christmas by sponsoring a lantern in A Garden Lit with Love. Each glowing lantern will stand as a visible symbol of your organisation’s compassion, helping fund expert care, emotional support and lasting memories for local families when they need it most.
Jonny Bottomley, partnership development fundraiser at Dove House, said: “By sponsoring a lantern, local businesses and individuals are not only helping us fill the gardens with light and beauty, they’re directly funding the compassionate care our patients rely on over Christmas.” Rebecca Brambles, family support team leader at Dove House, said: “Christmas can be a very difficult time for families when a loved one is nearing the end of life.
“We do everything we can to keep the joy of the season alive, helping people make special memories together. Light brings comfort and hope, and this year we want our gardens to glow with both.”
One Hull-born businessman, Simon Kerins, of Kerins Doors, is sponsoring the event as the Illumination Partner. The generous sponsorship has helped bring this beautiful display to life, lighting the hospice gardens for patients and families to enjoy throughout the festive season.
Simon said: “Dove House is a charity close to our hearts, and sponsoring this initiative felt like something we just had to be part of. At a time of year that means so much to so many, we wanted to help bring comfort and light to those facing the toughest of times.
“Supporting A Garden Lit with Love is our way of giving back to a place that does so much for local families.” You can sponsor a lantern today and bring light, warmth and hope to families this Christmas.
Lanterns sponsored by Thursday, November 20 will be included in this year’s switch-on event. Visit dovehouse.org.uk/lanterns to sponsor your lantern online; call Jonny Bottomley on 01482 785743 or email fundraising@dovehouse.org.uk to discuss corporate sponsorship opportunities.