Thanksgiving services celebrate St Leonard’s Hospice's big birthday!

My Experience of St Leonard’s Hospice’s memorable thanksgiving service.

Written by Brooke, Year 10.

This year, St Leonard’s Hospice celebrated turning 40 with two Thanksgiving services in York Minster and Selby Abbey; reminiscing the effort and passion of so many when they first began this journey in 1985, knowing thousands of local people in the years to come would need the St Leonard’s love!

I was lucky enough to attend one of the services at York Minster, which is a prominent symbol of York in the same way this Hospice is for the people of our city. The staff as always wore their beaming smiles and bright badges, chatting with any person who entered, showing that time or place has not changed the genuine kindness you receive. Around 500 people came to the service, filling York Minster with joy and pride. Several important figures were in attendance too, such as the full Civic Party, Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Tadcaster. In addition, Selby Abbey welcomed the Mayor of Selby and Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire. Also, at both, were the teams that work day-in and day-out for the Hospice, and volunteers and supporters who always give their time to help, showing the commitment they all have to the past, present and future of St Leonard’s Hospice.

With touching readings and poems from dedicated trustees, staff, families and volunteers, the nature of the service showcased everything the Hospice’s anniversary is about: an opportunity for celebration of not only St Leonard’s, but of anyone who is looked after by them, donates to them, works for them, volunteers for them and supports them, making it very clear everyone is a piece of the St Leonard’s Hospice journey.

Happy birthday! I know there are lots more celebrations to come.