A CHARITY has held an annual fundraiser in memory of departed loved ones.

St Cuthbert’s Hospice staged its Light up a Life service this evening (Sunday, December 14) at Durham Cathedral.

The service was the culmination of the campaign, which invites people to make a donation to the hospice in memory of someone special who is no longer here at Christmas time.

In return, the deceased's name is entered into a Book of Remembrance which is dedicated at the cathedral service.

Arthur Maughan, from Lanchester, has donated in memory of his wife, Mavis, who passed away on January, 24, 2011 aged 72.

He said: “I met Mavis in 1959, back when I thought I was a bit of a Teddy Boy and she worked as a cashier in Woolworths.

“We married in 1962 and our life really began from there. It saw us change jobs over the years, I ended up with a quite successful career in IT and Mavis eventually trained to become an auxiliary nurse which she loved.

“She was a caring person, and it really suited her. She particularly liked caring for people who were at the end of life, providing support to not only them, but their families as well.”

“I was pleased to care for her right up to the end, and to thank for the support that was given to me during this period, I am supporting this year’s Light up a Life.”

To donate to the campaign visit www.stcuthbertshospice.com or call the hospice on 0191-386-1170.