A DEDICATION ceremony for Weston Hospicecare s Tree of Light Appeal will take place tonight (Thurs).

A DEDICATION ceremony for Weston Hospicecare's Tree of Light Appeal will take place tonight (Thurs).

Andy Ham is taking the chance to remember her sister, Carol, who died of cancer last year.

The 51-year-old from Biddisham is helping to raise money for the hospice all year round by writing and publishing poetry, but wants to encourage other people to support the charity through the appeal, supported by the Weston & Somerset Mercury.

It aims to raise money by asking people to dedicate a light on the tree in Weston's Sovereign Shopping Centre to someone who cannot be with them this Christmas.

Carol Evans died in September 2006 after being diagnosed with cancer only six months before.

She stayed at the hospice, in Uphill, regularly during her illness before she died at the age of 47.

Carol and her husband Peter, of Garsdale Road, Weston, have two sons - Charlie, who is 18, and George who is 12.

Charlie has just begun studying an engineering degree at Cardiff University and George goes to Worle Community School.

Peter, a retired carpenter, said: "If I get ill, even if it's just a cold, George gets really worried that the same will happen to me as what happened to his mum."

The 65-year-old added: "We used to do everything together. That is why the boys and I miss her so much.

"We have lived together for 25 years and been married for 19 years. It's hard when someone you have been close to for that long has gone."

Andy said: "Most things Carol did revolved around her family.

"She was always so supportive of the people around her and would make time to help others.

"Before she became ill she used to help me when I went to horse shows, which I think she really enjoyed despite the fact she was a bit frightened of horses."

To recognise the work carried out by the hospice Andy has been selling her book Sweet September, Poems for Carol.

Andy said: "The hospice was more like a home than a hospital.

"Carol was always treated by the same nurses and they were so supportive of her family members. We were able to visit her as often as we liked."

For more details on The Tree of Light appeal log on to the website at www.thewestonmercury.co.uk