‘Suffolk Remembers’ goes virtual for this year’s Suffolk Day

A popular and well established Suffolk remembrance event will go ahead despite the current challenges presented by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Following government advice provided at the beginning of May, St Elizabeth Hospice’s in memoriam event, Suffolk Remembers will now be held as a virtual event to ensure everyone remains safe during this time.

Every year 5,000 candles are dedicated to loved ones across the county at an event held on Felixstowe seafront on Suffolk Day.  This year, the event scheduled for Sunday 21 June, will now be broadcast as a video for those who have dedicated a candle to a loved one to enjoy.

Pauline Donkin, the individual giving manager for the hospice said ‘We’re devastated to have to transform Suffolk Remembers in to a virtual event, but after many discussions over the last few weeks, we feel that this is the safest way to remember our loved ones at this time.’

As with every year, the candles will still be displayed across the large Suffolk Remembers letter boards, with one of these letters dedicated to those we have lost to Covid-19 in Suffolk.

Pauline went on to say, ‘It was really important to us to reserve a space for those who have lost loved ones in the pandemic. This event, although run by the hospice, is for everyone and not only those who have used the services of the hospice. It allows everyone in Suffolk a moment to remember a lost loved one and to know that they are not alone.’

‘Each year, our goal is the light 5,000 candles in memory of those who are no longer with us. These dedications help us to continue looking after our patients in the hospice and the wider community, particularly during this difficult time where a lot of our events have been cancelled and our charity shops are closed which affects our fundraising efforts.’

The letters will be displayed at The Corn Exchange in Ipswich Town Centre for filming purposes with the video published on the hospice’s Facebook and YouTube channels on Sunday 21 June.

To support St Elizabeth Hospice or dedicate a candle please visit https://www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/event/suffolk-remembers-2020/