St Elizabeth Hospice's much-loved remembrance event, Suffolk Remembers, will once again return to bring Suffolk Day to a close this year.

Every year Suffolk Remembers, sees 5,000 candles displayed along Felixstowe seafront as hundreds of people gather to remember their loved ones and this year will be no different.

Taking place on Wednesday 21st June from 9pm-10pm, this year's event will see live performances from Ipswich singer, Roma Manteiga-Nicholson, Pop Chorus choir and Martlesham Brass as well as a number of poetry readings.

Finding names in memory (Picture: Nick Butcher St Elizabeth Hospice)

Catherine Sheppard, Supporter Campaigns Fundraiser at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: "Suffolk Remembers always brings Suffolk Day to a close in very special way, with the hospice and local community joining together to remember those no longer with us.

"Please do join us for this poignant event, on the beautiful Felixstowe seafront as the sun goes down, where we will celebrate the lives of our loved ones who helped make Suffolk the wonderful county we know and love."

Now in its seventh year, Suffolk Remembers is a free to attend event, but with each dedicated candle the hospice kindly asks supporters to consider making a donation to the independent Suffolk charity, which every year cares for more than 3,000 patients, living with a progressive or life-limiting illness, and their families throughout East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

All are welcome to dedicate a candle, even if they have not previously been under the hospice's care, and the hospice is encouraging all who have lost a friend or relative to take the opportunity to join people from across the region in remembering them through Suffolk Remembers 2023, which once again is sponsored by East of England Co-op Funeral Services.

Peter Girt attended Suffolk Remembers 2022 with his family - son Matthew, daughter Claire and grandchildren - to remember his wife Sally Girt who died from cancer, aged 67-years-old, in February 2022 at home, while under the care of St Elizabeth Hospice.

"My family and I attended Suffolk Remembers for the first time in 2022 and it truly was a marvelous event," explained Peter, who is from Ipswich.

"It was a very memorable and moving evening, which saw hospice supporters, the local community and families, like mine, gather to remember those we have loved, who are no longer with us, with the peaceful backdrop of Felixstowe seafront providing the perfect setting.

"Claire and Matthew carried the letter 'R', this had been sponsored by Ryder Davies Veterinary Practice where my daughter works as a nurse. I also had the privilege of being asked to carry the letter 'L', which coincidentally included the 5 candles we had dedicated to Sally, I felt very honoured. It was very poignant."

Each dedication will also include a photo and a message to a loved one which will be included in the Suffolk Remembers' online gallery and a physical, battery candle will be added to the hospice's physical event display.

The candles will be displayed from Wednesday 21st June until 10am on Friday 23rd June 2023.

To dedicate a candle and to find out further information about Suffolk Remembers visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/suffolk-remembers/, email [email protected] or call 01473 723600.