Siblings to lead Wrexham’s Christmas Lantern Parade in memory of their dad
Wrexham’s Christmas Lantern Parade will be lead by two siblings in tribute to their dad, who sadly passed away from cancer.
Amelia and George Hughes will be guiding the crowds on a mile-long walk through the streets of the city centre tomorrow (Saturday 18 November) to mark the start of Wrexham’s festivities.
Wrexham Council, Eagles Meadow and Nightingale House Hospice have teamed up to organise this year’s Christmas Lights Switch On, with an entire day of events, entertainment and activities planned.
This includes performances from a brass band, Christmas stalls and a jam-packed finale on Eagles Meadow.
Glyn Hughes, George Hughes and Amelia Hughes
Connecting the events on Queens Square to the shopping centre will be a lantern parade, which will be particularly poignant for Amelia, and George Hughes who will be walking in memory of their dad, Glyn Hughes, who passed away aged 38 from bowel cancer in 2022.
The sponsored walk will guide the crowds from Llwyn Isaf, through the city centre before ending at Eagles Meadow where live entertainment will take place.
Sharing his excitement, George said: “Me and Amelia are both very, very excited to lead the Lantern Parade and to see the Wrexham Christmas Lights Switch On!”
Amelia talked about why the siblings are leading the Lantern Parade, explaining: “We are thrilled to be leading the parade as it is in aid of Nightingale House Hospice because it is where our dad came to when he was ill.
“He came to the hospice to see the doctors and physiotherapists, which helped him with his pain and mobility.”
Glyn Hughes, George Hughes and Amelia Hughes
Discussing how Nightingale House helped her dad and family, Amelia said: “Dad worked at Rhosymedre School, and we all lived in Wrexham as we do now, too, with Mum.
“Dad came as an outpatient to the hospice but died at home.
“Mum said how much the family support team helped her find the words to tell us that dad wasn’t going to get better and was going to die.
“She said it helped her so much. After dad died, we made memory boxes with the Family Support Team, and the best thing was being able to talk about dad.
“We made posters about him, it really helped being part of the group sessions with other children who had gone through the same thing.”
The Lantern Parade route that Amelia and George will guide the crowds through
George explained why other children should participate in the Lantern Parade: “People should come to the Lantern Parade and raise as much sponsorship as possible.
“It will help other families needing care, just like ours.”
Registration is £6 per child, and participants must register in advance to participate in the Lantern Parade on the Nightingale House website.
Anyone who raises more than £25 will be entered into a draw to win a voucher for Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre, which includes three months of car parking, four Odeon tickets and two games of bowling for up to six people.
Wrexham’s Christmas Light Switch On will start at 11am on Queens Square where there will be stalls and a fairground from 11am.
Throughout the day there will be a brass band performing around the city’s Christmas tree, with carols from 4pm before the start of the Lantern Parade.
Once at Eagles Meadow the Christmas party will get underway, with British music legend Andy Bennett from Ocean Colour Scene will be headlining this year’s event finale, turning the city into a winter wonderland of music and lights.
More information on the Lantern Parade and how you can get involved to raise money for Nightingale House Hospice can be found here.
You can find out more about Wrexham’s Christmas Lights Switch On on November 18 here!
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