Over 3,000 Gather at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s Heartwarming ‘Candles on the Lake’ Event in Poole
Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s popular annual event, ‘Candles on the Lake,’ returned to Poole Park on October 19th, gathering over 3,000 members of the community for an evening of remembrance and reflection.
The event offered participants the opportunity to dedicate a message on a candle in memory of a loved one, with each candle floating across the serene waters of the small lake near The Ark, creating a breathtaking light display.
The reflective ambiance of the evening was enhanced by live musical performances from The Boscombe Salvation Army Band and The Funky Little Choir, whose moving music accompanied the floating candles, creating a truly memorable and emotional experience.
The event proved to be a touching journey for many attendees, including one participant who shared, “I’ve recently lost two people close to me. This event has made me realise that I need to feel my grief now, and this is just such a beautiful opportunity to start that journey. Watching the candles float across the lake is stunning and very thought-provoking.”
Special Thanks to Our Supporters
Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s Event Fundraiser Anna DuRose said, “The hospice is very grateful for the generous support of our headline sponsor, Care South, whose residents from the newly opened Marjorie House, named in honour of the hospice’s founder, were able to join in the evening’s commemorative ceremony. They brought candles with personal messages from residents in all Care South homes, a meaningful gesture that added to the evening’s heartfelt tributes.
“Our sincere thanks also extend to Rockley Water Sports, who supplied the boards on which the candles floated, along with a team of dedicated volunteers to carefully place each candle on the lake. Without their incredible support, we simply could not have run this event.
“Additional gratitude goes to event partners including Ives and Shand Funeral Service, Abbas Cabins, Avon Material Supplies, Capitol Barriers, Abacus Vehicle Hire, South Coast Mini Marquees, One Nine 58 Event Coffee Van, and Hot Radio, as well as the 50+ volunteers and staff who ensured a safe, meaningful, and memorable experience for all attendees.”
The evening also featured heartfelt words from speakers Jo Sharkey from Lewis-Manning’s Family Support and Bereavement Service team, and Trustee Ian Marshall, whose messages of compassion underscored the significance of the event.
Funds raised from ‘Candles on the Lake’ will directly benefit Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s Bereavement and Family Support services, which provide essential support for individuals and families navigating loss.
Other Candles events coming up include ‘Candles on the Green’ at Wimborne Minster on 16th November and ‘Candles at the Priory’ at Chrstchurch Priory on 26th November.
Anyone wishing to take part is urged to pre order a candle at https://lewis-manning.org.uk/candles/
Candles will also be available to purchase on the evening of the event