There was standing room only at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Glasgow today for the annual Light Up a Life carol concert, organised by The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice.

Friends and family members gathered to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died.

“When you need help, it’s good to know there’s somewhere to go and the support is there at the hospice,” said Claire Best, 34, from Penilee, who was at the service with her children Marc, Abi and Logan.

The carol concert was the chance to pay tribute to her husband Steven, who was 35 when he died and had been looked after at home by the hospice’s team of community nurses.

Since then, Claire has attended a bereavement support group at the hospice and Abi has gone to the children’s bereavement Butterfly service.

“I feel very passionate about giving back to the hospice,” added Claire. “The hospice has really helped me through all this, I don’t know how I would have done it without them.”

After the service, hosted by Lucy Whyte of STV with carols by the Kilbarchan Singers, hospice supporters crossed the Clyde to Carlton Place to see the Christmas tree lights switched on outside the hospice.  Each light represents the life of someone who is being remembered.

On the tree inside, star decorations hang, inscribed with messages for loved ones.

“We gather every year to celebrate the lives of loved ones,” said Rhona Baillie, chief executive of the hospice.

“It is a special time of year to share memories of the happiness they brought. This year’s Light Up a Life concerts are particularly special for us as they are the last ones we will celebrate at Carlton Place before moving to our new home in Bellahouston Park next year.”

Glasgow’s Hospice provides free specialist care to patients and families dealing with life-limiting illnesses. It is building a new state-of-the-art palliative care facility in Bellahouston Park in the city’s south side, with patients due to move in the spring.

There is a second Light Up a Life carol concert on December 13 at 7pm in St Andrew’s Cathedral.

Make a donation to Raise the Roof, the latest phase of the Brick by Brick Appeal, online at www.ppwh.org.uk/donate or make a smaller donation of £5 by texting ROOF to 70660.