THE family of a 23-year-old dad who died just four weeks after being diagnosed with cancer are dedicating a light as part of Wigan and Leigh Hospice’s Light for a Life appeal to keep his memory alive for his baby daughter.

Joe Jolley, from Hindley, died on April 18 at the hospice after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Despite their grief, the family are aiming to keep Joe’s memory alive, by launching the appeal the same week his daughter Tilly’s 1st birthday.

His sister Katy, 32, said: “We are so pleased to launch Life for a Life for the Hospice this year. Making a dedication is a way for us as a family of keeping Joe’s memory alive, which is especially important for his daughter who was so young when he passed away. At Christmas we’ll all come to the Light for a Life ceremony and we’ll carry on doing other things to remember him and to raise money for such a worthy cause. By coming to the ceremony we’ll be with other people who are grieving as well and it will be nice for us all to come together. The hospice is a lovely place and, although there has been a lot of sadness there for us as a family, it’s been a massive help and it’s an amazing place.”

Dedications are marked by a light on the hospice’s Christmas Tree which this year will be switched on on Tuesday, December 4th at 6.30pm.

Names are also entered into the hospice’s Book of Dedications as a permanent tribute.

The Light for a Life appeal runs until the twelfth day after Christmas. Up until then anyone can make a dedication whether or not their loved one has a direct link to the hospice.

The ceremony will be held at the Hospice on Kildare Street.