Chance to celebrate & remember pets with our Tree of Light campaign

Southampton residents wishing to remember pets who have passed away can do so through our 2026 Tree of Light fundraising and awareness campaign (November 2026).

We’re offering people the chance to sponsor festive lights commemorating special causes and loved ones including pets this Christmas.

Our Manager, Annie, explains: “By sponsoring the lights on our trees, people can remember a lost loved-one, or they can mark something special. Each light also helps support our charity, which befriends people in communities city-wide. Our mission is to eradicate loneliness and isolation, which are becoming more and more of a problem across all generations.

Animals & pets

“Every year so far, we’ve just highlighted remembering people and people-related causes, but this year we’d like to extend this to animals and pets, as we appreciate how important they are in people’s lives and the significant contribution they make to someone’s wellbeing. We’re hoping lots of people sponsor lights on our trees to help fundraise for us and the work we do. We can also provide a remembrance star for them to hang on their own Christmas tree at home.”

Our volunteer, Debbie, who is also Service Manager at Unpaid Carers Support Southampton, is sponsoring a light this year for her and her husband Chris’ dog Gus, who passed away this summer.

Unconditional love

She says: “Losing our beloved Gus in July this year, left a hole in our hearts that words can hardly describe. He was so much more than a dog – he was family, a source of unconditional love, comfort and happiness. The memories we shared will stay with us forever, and although we wish we had more time together, we will always be grateful for the love and light he brought into our life. Our beautiful Gus. You will never be forgotten.

Charity’s stars

“Communicare’s Tree of Light is a fantastic way to remember those we love who are no longer with us. I helped out at one of last year’s event. I particularly like that, as well as there being a light shining away for them on one of the trees, I also have one of the charity’s stars to hang on my tree at home to remind me too.

“Communicare is a very special organisation, helping those who are isolated in our community. Sponsoring a light is not only beneficial to the work the charity does but also helps us to remember all our loved ones.”

Anyone who would like to sponsor a light is asked to make a minimum donation of £8. The names of those being remembered will be recorded in a remembrance book and published on our website. People can also send photographs, short poems/verses or a tribute for inclusion in the book.

Fellow Communicare volunteer, Ray, is also sponsoring a light for his late dog, Bruno.

RIP Bruno

He says: “Bruno was a lovely older dog who we adopted via The Dogs Trust. A Basset/Springer cross, a Springbatt, he often caught people’s attention and he loved every minute of that.

“He was my special friend and partner in crime, particularly on fridge raids and memorably did a Mutt Strut with me to raise money for the Maggie’s Centre in Southampton. Bruno loved his tummy rubs and being tickled under the chin but became less keen on walks as he aged.

“Sadly, we only had a few years together, but I’ll never forget him and feel that he’s still with me. Particularly when I go to the fridge. RIP Bruno, my special friend. Thanks for all the love you gave us.”

Find out more & sponsor a light

If you would like to sponsor a light in memory of your pet or pets, forms and more information about our 2026 Tree of Light campaign including our switch-on events, which are free to attend, can be found here.

Sponsorship is open until December 31, 2026.