Businesses and families in Gedling borough are being invited to help light up the skies around Mapperley this Christmas as part of a bid to raise funds for a local hospice.
Each night Nottinghamshire Hospice are planning to turn a historic tower attached to their Mapperley building into a beacon of hope throughout December as part of their Light Up A Night fundraising campaign.
Individuals and organisations can donate £300 and in return the charity will turn on the huge light at the top of their tower during the evening and dedicate it to the donor’s chosen loved one.
Last year the hospice raised more than £5,000 from its Light Up A Night appeal and with many of the nights already snapped up this year by families and firms, it is hoping to top that total this time round.
The tower in question is a Victorian cupola which sits atop the hospice’s building, in Woodborough Road, which was once home to John Dane Player – son of Nottingham businessman John Player.
It is believed that John Dane used the cupola as a private room, from where he would have looked out across Mapperley Park and taken in views of Nottingham and beyond.
He died in 1950 and the house became home to Nottinghamshire Hospice 30 years later. Its team of nurses now care for hundreds of local adults who have terminal and life-limiting illnesses, as well as their families and carers, every year.
Rowena Naylor-Morrell, CEO of Nottinghamshire Hospice, said: “We’re very proud of the legacy of our hospice, which is full of many treasures dating back to the days when it was one of the finest residences in Nottingham, and our wonderful cupola is, appropriately, its crowning glory.
“Not only can you see the whole of the city centre and beyond when you’re up in the tower, when it’s lit up at night it acts like a beacon of hope that can be seen by people for miles around.
“We had an incredible response to our Light Up A Night campaign last year from individuals who wanted to remember a loved one or companies who choose to spread some festive cheer at Christmas.
“A number of nights are already accounted for but we’re hoping to hear from other people who want to light up our tower for a night and help ensure our patients receive the care they need this Christmas.”
The hospice will publicise who is lighting up the tower on each chosen day on its social media platforms, although people can stay anonymous if they wish.
To find out more about its Light Up the Night events, contact the fundraising team on 0115 910 1008 or email fundraising@nottshospice.org
