Shining a Light of Love: Tree of Light Remembrance Names 2025

As Christmas approaches, our city becomes home to a very special tradition – Communicare’s 17th Annual Tree of Light campaign. This year, the campaign grew even brighter with three switch-on events bringing people together to celebrate, remember and help tackle loneliness across the city.

Each twinkling light on our trees reflects a story – a tribute to a loved one, a cherished pet, or a meaningful cause. Through sponsors’ donations, those lights shine not just with colour, but with love, memory and purpose. All funds raised help us continue our vital work combatting social isolation and loneliness in Southampton.

This year’s trees were beautifully lit up at:

• St. James by the Park Church, Shirley
• St. Mark’s Church, Archers Road
• Woolston Millennium Garden

Remembering Those We Hold Dear

We were deeply moved by the number of tributes we received this year. The remembrance names are as follows:

Bob & Susan Petch remember Alma Jones & John Miles

Sue Ponsford remembers Cousin Nciky

Patricia Sleet celebrates MacMillan Cancer Support

Ian Lawrence remembers Diane Lawrence

Carole Cochrane remembers those we miss

Claire Challis remembers Ted and Joyce Challis

Susan Goldsmith remembers

David Giachardi remembers Helen Giachardi

Audrey Shephard remembers Fiona Shephard

Katherine Levett-Giachardi remembers Matilda Levett-Giachardi

Lindsey Fraser remembers Matilda Levett-Giachardi, Fiona Shephard & Helen Giachardi

Iris MacNish remembers James MacNish

Gill Yeates remembers John Yeates, Gladys Truckel & Janice Truckel

Patricia Carrett remembers Dennis Edward

Anthony Grist remembers Babette Grist

Mary Dibben remembers Colin Churchill Dibben

Gwen Appleton remembers Jane Brobson

Olive Nash remembers Geoffrey Selling Nash

Sally Ann Belward remembers her parents, Gloria & Michael Adams

Rosemary Badham remembers Desmond & Doreen Hill

Lenka Fremerova remembers her grandmothers and grandfathers

Jane Freeland remembers Alan Freeland

Alastair Pearce remembers Fishy

Chris and Bev Pearce remembers Jackie Pearce, Dawn & Owen Dawkins

Southampton City Council Childrens Services remembers Abel Santhosh, Chantele Silverster, KJ, Laura Ray, Darren Ham & Jordan

Margaret Dudley remembers Philip Dudley & Mary Rose Dunham

David Glenn remembers Bella & Uncle Cyril

Debbie Dungeon remembers her Mum

Debbie Dungeon remembers her Dad

Bethany Forbes-Lish remembers Avis Forbes

Sheila Price remembers Doreen

Rosemary Coombs remembers Mervyn Coombs

Tracey Beckerleg remembers Margaret Hancocks, Dave Hancocks, Hugh Beckerleg, Nora Beckerleg, Alan Tapley & Vera Tapley

Liz O’Neill remembers Margaret, Peter Hands, Pauline & Tom O’Neill

Yates Family remember Eileen Yates, Charlie Yates, Pop Yates & Maisie Gentle

Susan Seal remembers Joan & Edd Bennett

Jim King remembers Irene King

Joyce Warrington remembers Brian Warrington

Chris Jay remembers JimJay, Archie Stenning & Sarah Ray

Vivienne Adams remembers Richard Adams

Allison Thomas remembers Joyce Thomas, Donald Thomas, Audrey Davey, Helen Coleman, Nellie Davey, Cliff Davey, Frederick Burnett, Frederick Coleman, Fred Burnett, Bryan Corben & Andy Jemmett

Ros Simpson remembers Fraser

Margery Craine remembers Marjorie Thorrington

Gemma Richmond remembers Grandad Les

Matthew Richmond remembers Ken Mills & Oliver Richmond

Theresa Bowen remembers Christopher and Angela Atkins

Ann Green remembers Dennis Green & his son, Paul

Geoff Cornford remembers Gina Cornford

E Barfoot remembers

Jayne & Barrie Worth remember Georgi Hickman

Jean Wilson remembers Stuart Wilson

Marion Glasspool remembers Ro Bert Glasspool

Miranda Harris remembers Joseph & Roy Harris

Lena Phillips remembers Eve Tallyn

Patricia Yandell remembers Joyce Bassett, Dorothy James & William Cox

Denise Barrett remembers Roger Barrett

Howard Gray remembers Eileen Gray

In memory of Sarah Chapman, former vicar of Bitterne Park parish (Anglican)

Wendy Bathard remembers Queenie and Len Bathard

Remembering Moira Knapman

Cheryl Lovejoy remembers Terry Mist

Julie Johnson remembers David Johnson

Esther Clift remembers Karl Edwards Jean & Clifford Clift

The Clewlow Family remember Vic & Lydia Clewlow, Joan & David Burks, Asha Gouget & Fiona Shephard

Bridget O’Donnell remembers Hugh O’Donnell & Di Whitfield

Jiri (George) Synecky remembers all lost loved ones, especially my gran

Sue Daw remembers David, Ann & Bernard, Gordon & Marion

Anthea High remembers Elsie High

Ann Way remembers Bryan Way & John Ball

S Smith remembers Muriel Beer, John Beer, Rodney John Smith

Carol Medcalf remembers Joyce Colborne, Bertie Colborne, Jackie Chandler & John Medcalf

Kathryn Earle remembers Rosemary & Eric Earle

Alex George remembers Maggie “Monster Munch” George

Gill Spratt remembers Ada Greenwood, Ernest Greenwood, Beryl Spratt, Bill Spratt & Jan Bell

Barbara Phillips remembers Rosemary Marville

Ann Christine Evans remembers Barrie, Mum, Dad, Herbert, Ruth & Betty

Joelle Kameni remembers Miley Ekem

Rob Skip remembers

Pamela Glaen remembers Sheila Simpson

David Robins remembers Caroline Robins

Tony Grist remembers his grandchildren

Beth is remembered

Jenny Wilton remembers Chris Johnson

Debbie Mills remembers Brenda & David

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Sponsorship remains open until 31 December 2025.

Thank You for Lighting a Life

To everyone who sponsored a light, attended an event, shared a tribute, or volunteered their time, thank you. Together, we are helping build brighter, warmer and more connected communities throughout Southampton.

Let’s continue to shine a light for those who need it most, today and throughout the year.