Lady Ryder of Warsaw was celebrated last night as part of an exclusive ‘Lights of Love’ carol concert of remembrance, attended by her daughter, Dr Elizabeth Cheshire.

Lady Ryder, who founded the healthcare charity Sue Ryder Care in 1953 was celebrated as part of the Lights of Love event, designed to give people the opportunity to celebrate someone special and remember them at Christmas time. Part of the tribute to Lady Ryder celebrated the charity’s long association with Poland.

Songs of Praise presenter, Pam Rhodes explained:

"Konstancin in Poland was the first place where Lady Ryder built a care home, followed by homes in England and Scotland, and Sue Ryder Care works in partnership with the Sue Ryder Foundation in Poland to this day. In Poland Lady Ryder’s name is still associated with 14 hospices, social care homes and oncology units."

The choir Kameralny Zespól Wokalny z Balham gave a beautiful tribute to Sue Ryder, and celebrated Sue Ryder Care’s relationship with Poland by performing traditional carols.

People who attended last night, including Dr Elizabeth Cheshire, wrote dedications to loved ones on the back of special Lights of Love stars which were displayed on the Church’s Christmas tree.

Pam added: "In the run up to the festive season, people’s thoughts often turn to their loved ones, families and friends – dedicating a Light of Love is a way in which people can celebrate treasured memories and time spent together."

And it is not too late to dedicate a Light of Love, Gemma Buttimer, Lights of Love Fundraising Manager explained: “People can dedicate a Light of Love for someone they care about online at http://lightsoflove.suerydercare.org, which will be seen as a star in a virtual sky of dedications.”   

"Or if they don’t have access to the internet they can take part by making a donation in one of Sue Ryder Care’s 370 shops in return for a Lights of Love Christmas star. They can then write a dedication message on the back and hang it on their tree at home.  If they’d like their loved ones names included in the Lights of Love Book of Celebration, they can also pick up a leaflet and fill in the name of the person they’d like to celebrate.  We are encouraging people who are keen to dedicate a Light of Love to give a donation of their choice to Sue Ryder Care."

For further information about Lights of Love visit http://lightsoflove.suerydercare.org  for more information.

Radio ORLA FM is pleased to have been a media patron of this event.