A LIFELINE local community organisation is helping a much-loved charity honour late loved-ones this Christmas.

Ardgowan Hospice's annual Light up a Life service, which offers a chance for the community to come together to remember special people who are not with us this festive season, is back in-person for the first time since 2019.

To mark the special occasion, the local team have been supported by The Inverclyde Shed, who have created a stunning handcrafted keepsake for the event.

The local creatives crafted a metal heart with a memento wooden sign with pyrography from member, Liz Ness.

All those who attend the service, held on the first Sunday in December in Westburn Church, will be able to tie a ribbon of remembrance to the heart before it is proudly displayed in the hospice.

Liz says she feels proud to get involved with the project.

The Inverkip woman told the Tele: "Getting to be a part of this was really special, it was great to create something so poignant.

"I used pyrography and was able to burn the letters into the wood.

"It's something unique and the frame can be reused each year for the service."

The idea was the brainchild of Rev Karen Harbison, who leads the service each year on behalf of the Ardgowan.

Hospice fundraising officer Elaine McNeill was delighted to accept the hand-crafted piece.

She added: "Karen thought it would be a great idea to have a keepsake from Light up a Life and this is a way for our families to get involved.

"Everyone will receive two ribbons and they'll be welcome to write a message on one before tying it onto the heart.

"They can take the other home as a memento.

"Our hope is it will be something we can add to each year - we're so grateful to The Shed for kindly making this for us."