Candles will be seen floating in the lake at Poole Park next month.

People are invited to join Lewis-Manning Hospice Care at 6pm on Saturday 15 October, at The Ark in Poole Park, to enjoy a spectacular display of floating candles, music from local musicians and a reflective reading to remember and celebrate loved ones.

Fundraising manager, Vicki Gray, said: “The hugely popular event is free for all to join, so tell your friends, neighbours, colleagues, and family to come along to this fabulous evening.

“We encourage supporters to make an online donation for a candle(s) prior to the event to avoid any disappointment; alternatively candles will be available on the night. If you would like to add a personal dedication to your candle, facilities to write your own message will be available.

“It will be a memorable and meaningful celebration where families and friends can come together to reflect, remember and celebrate loved ones.”

“Music will be performed by local musicians and a short reflective reading will be given by Jo Sharkey, bereavement lead at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care. Volunteers from Rockley Watersports will place the candles on the lake to create a magical display of lights.

“We are asking people to make a suggested donation of £5 per candle. If three people donated this amount, it could cover the cost of a one-hour telephone call or visit, providing support to a grieving family.”

Not only is the event free, but the parking is free too. The barriers at Poole Civic Centre multi-storey car park will be lifted at 5pm on Saturday 15 October to allow members of the public to park free of charge. This is just a short walk from where the event is held and there is a traffic-lighted pedestrian crossing into the park.

All candles will be floated safely onto the lake, so as not to affect plants and wildlife in the area. All the flameless candles are collected at the end of the evening by dedicated volunteers to ensure there is no litter and will also be reused for subsequent years.

To find out more about this fantastic free event please visit: https://lewis-manning.org.uk/candles-on-the-lake/