Rachelle with the Light Up A Life Christmas cards

A Fulwood illustrator has created a unique Christmas card to help raise funds for a Preston hospice.

Rachelle Panagarry, whose Dad was cared for at St Catherine’s Hospice, has produced the cards for the Light Up A Life campaign being run by the charity.

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Her cards will be sent to everyone who makes a dedication to the campaign.

Anyone making a donation gets a dedication within the stunning light display around the Hospice grounds during Christmas and New Year.

Pannagarry said: “I was extremely touched when St Catherine’s came to me for help with the design of the card – to be asked to create such a special thing for the hospice was a real honour.

“They took such good care of my Dad that I was more than happy to use the skills I have to give something back, and help a cause very close to my heart in a different way.”

Rachelle and her father John Dodd

The card features a Christmas tree made up of different symbols of St Catherine’s with festive stars dotted through.

Pannagarry recently graduated from the University of Central Lancashire after studying a masters in childrens book illustration.

She said: “After discussions with St Catherine’s it was clear that along with the Christmas theme we wanted something which showed the bigger picture of what the hospice is and all the different things that go into make it such a special place. It’s about a lot more than sometimes people think.

“The shape of the Christmas tree and the foil stars make it festive, while the icons within it include figures of all different ages – symbolising the different people who benefit from hospice care, and also the volunteers, staff and supporters who make it happen – and the butterfly, which is of course is so well known and well-loved as the logo of St Catherine’s.”

Lynne Whittaker, senior fundraiser at the hospice, said: “Everyone at St Catherine’s is delighted to have our own bespoke card and it means all the more that it has been made by someone with such a personal connection to the hospice.

“Light Up A Life is very special to the hospice and its wonderful supporters and we think the extra touch that this card brings will make it even more so.”

Dedications in Light Up A Life can be made online at the St Catherine’s website or over the phone by calling 01772 629171. You can also pick up a form on hospice reception.