A CHRISTMAS tree will shine brightly on Saturday as it is filled with messages and lights dedicated to loved ones who have passed away.

Sobell House is preparing for this year's annual Lights of Love event, a memorial service held every Christmas.

Families are invited to gather under a giant Christmas tree in the grounds of the Churchill Hospital to watch it light up during a memorial service at 3.30pm.

It is a key event in the calendar for Sobell House and always well attended.

Rita Besley, who lives in Bicester, has attend every service since her husband, Gerald, died from stomach cancer nine years ago.

The 75-year-old said: "It is a very important event for everyone.

"You see children going round the tree, looking for their mummy's and daddy's names.

"It helped me a lot after my husband died because having his name on the Christmas tree and seeing his light was like he was shinning down, looking on me.

"And I think other people think that too when you hear children saying 'is that daddy's light?'"

This year the hospice is also offering a digital tree for those who cannot attend the service.

On the digital tree, messages and photos can still be added, which can be shared with friends and family, wherever they may be.

Katie Hannaford, from Wallingford, used the digital tree to remember her Dad.

She said:"I really liked the idea of a digital message because I could share it with my family.

"We have supported the Lights of Love appeal since my dad passed away at Sobell House in 2006.

"Everyday I think about him and remember and this event enables me to share his memory with others, to know he is not forgotten."

Sobell House Fundraiser Lindsay Manifold said: "The Lights of Love is our opportunity to help families remember loved ones over the Christmas period, which can be a difficult time.

"Every year, we have hundreds of messages on the Lights of Love tree, each dedicated by families or friends who have lost someone.

"The Lights of Love isn’t just about remembering those who have passed away at our hospice, it’s about remembering everyone.

"We wanted to offer an alternative way to remember and as a way of moving with the times we have gone digital with a dedicated site to Lights of Love."

The event is also a major fundraising appeal and all the money raised on Saturday will help the hospice to continue to provide care and support to patients and families.

This year the event is supported by several companies including: TM Lettings, Timbmet, Pro-Clean Oxford Ltd and ProClean Housekeeping, SSE and SMY Electrical Ltd.

The service will feature music and readings by Sobell staff and supporters, with a local choir and brass band.

To contribute to the digital tree, visit lightsoflove.co.uk