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Special ceremonies to light the Christmas trees at Queen’s and King George hospitals

Mae

Mae Flicker

Mae Flicker

Two special ceremonies were held this week to officially switch on the Christmas tree lights at Queen’s and King George hospitals, launching this year’s Treasured Memories Appeal.

The appeal funds memory boxes for bereaved children and young people and is funded by the King George and Queen’s Hospitals Charity. Anyone can make a donation to dedicate one of the lights in memory of their loved one, which includes a written dedication on the tree.

On Monday (4 December), 12-year-old Mae Flicker had the honour of switching on the lights at Queen’s Hospital. She did so in memory of her beloved nan, Margaret Green, who died in the hospital in 2013.

Mae and her family have attended this ceremony each year since her nan died after they received such great support from our Bereavement team. At last year’s event, as there wasn’t a choir to perform, Mae suggested her school choir could do it.

The Frances Bardsley School choir, including Mae, performed at this week’s ceremony. After a few songs, Mae then played the piano to accompany her peers’ singing.

She said: “I joined the school choir especially for this performance. I do like singing, but I prefer playing piano. It was really nice to do this in memory of nan.”

Proud mum Liz said: “Mum will be looking down on her crying her eyes out! It’s even more special as it was my mum who really encouraged Mae and her brother to learn the piano, so it’s like her legacy.”

The Avanti Court School choir

On Thursday (7 December) a lucky pupil from Avanti Court Primary School in Barkingside got to switch on the tree lights at King George Hospital.

Caiden Claire, 10, was chosen from his school choir (pictured above). He then joined the rest of the choir to sing a selection of carols while raising money for the Trust’s charity.

It was the second year running that the choir has performed during the ceremony, with many of the same children returning.

Music lead Cherie Vincent said: “This is an important part of learning values for the children, to help them see why it’s important to care for others. We like to get involved in the community and music has a way of bringing people together.

“We are a performing arts school so music is at the heart of everything we do.”

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