More than 3,000 people braved challenging weather conditions to reflect, celebrate and remember loved ones in the second ‘Candles on the Lake’ community event.

Organised by Lewis-Manning Hospice Care and hosted by The Ark in Poole Park, candles were floated on the adjacent lake.

Supporters had the option to pre-register for a candle or donate on the night.

Most also took the opportunity to add a personal message to their candle.

A team from Rockley Watersports released more than 1,000 candles onto the lake, despite the difficult weather conditions, creating a magical display of floating lights.

In honour of Queen Elizabeth II, the first candle released was a special purple light dedicated to Her Majesty.

Boscombe Band of the Salvation Army entertained with a repertoire of songs, followed by reflective and heart-warming performances from St Peter’s Community Choir and Rock Choir.

Jo Sharkey, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s Family Support & Bereavement Lead, also delivered a poignant reading.

Vicki Gray, Fundraising Manager, pictured left, said: “Our supporters and community are amazing!

“Despite the unsettled weather conditions, over 3,000 people came to support our ‘Candles on the Lake’ event and waited patiently whilst we adapted our method to float the candles safely in the strong winds.

“It was very much a family-orientated evening with lots of children attending with their parents and grandparents to remember loved ones no longer with us.

“There’s something very magical about seeing the lights floating in the dark but, more than that, there was a real sense of emotion and community spirit that filled the air.

“The event raised over £8,000 which will go towards funding our Bereavement and Family Support service, as well as other vital hospice care and support to patients and their families, from diagnosis of a life-limiting illness, through to end of life and bereavement.

“We have had an influx of heartfelt messages from attendees expressing their appreciation for the event and sharing how beautiful and emotional it was.

“‘Candles on the Lake’ will be back in October 2023.”

Also attending were the event’s sponsors, Care South.

Many of its staff members took up the opportunity to float a candle in celebration of a loved one.

Chris Golding, Care South’s Head of Marketing & PR, said: “Care South were thrilled to support ‘Candles on the Lake’, it was such a magical event that really brought the community together.

“We, as an organisation, are always keen to support local initiatives and were delighted to be able to play a part in helping to make this event another huge success.

“Lewis-Manning Hospice Care does such great work in the community, and we were thrilled to be able to contribute and help this fantastic charity hospice.”

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care has thanked everyone involved including: The Ark, Rockley Watersports, BCP Council, Southern Entertainment Services, Frames by Ben, Crews Consulting First Aid, Rock Choir, Boscombe Band of the Salvation Army, St Peter’s Community Choir, Tesco, B&Q, Hobbycraft, Care South, Poole Bay Holdings, McCarthy Stone, Barclays, Irwin Mitchell, AFC Bournemouth Academy team, Poole Yacht Club, Tapper Funeral Services and the charity’s staff, volunteers and supporters.

All candles were floated safely onto the lake, so as not to affect plants and wildlife in the area.

All the flameless candles were collected at the end of the evening by dedicated volunteers to ensure there was no litter.

They will be reused for subsequent years.

• lewis-manning.org.uk