ROGER Beard knows the heartbreak of bereavement all too well – in just four years he lost his wife, brother and parents.

His wife Susan died on New Year’s Eve four years ago, making Roger a single father to three children, the youngest of which was just 10 at the time.

Not long after that, his brother died, followed by his parents, leaving Roger, understandably, in a dark place.

But the 58-year-old from South Cerney found comfort in the support he received from Cotswold Care Hospice, and now he is urging others to back a special service the charity is holding.

On December 9, people can pay their respects to a lost loved one during the The Light Up a Life service at Minchinhampton Parish Church.

They can dedicate a star, for a small donation to the hospice, in memory of a loved one which will be included on the Christmas tree at the church.

Speaking of losing Susan, who had just undergone an emergency procedure for cancer before she died, Roger said: “I told her that I would be here when she came out of surgery and that I loved her.

“That’s all I had the chance to tell her.”

Cotswold Care Hospice at Home nurses supported Roger when his father Sam became ill and wanted to spend his final days at home.

Roger also turned to Cotswold Care for the charity’s specialist one-to-one bereavement counselling.

“I couldn’t see a way forward. I needed someone to help me but there was no one left in the family to talk to,” he said.

“Because they had all died I felt that I had somehow failed them, but I had to learn that it was all beyond my control and that I had done my best to support them.

“Now I am starting to come out of myself and get on with my life.”

Sian Cole, head of care services at the hospice, said the The Light Up a Life service is a chance for grieving people to find support from others who know what they are going through.

“The Light up a Life service is an opportunity to gather with others who understand your sense of loss and to celebrate the lives of loved ones,” she said.

“It is a service for anyone wishing to remember someone special regardless if they were supported by Cotswold Care Hospice.”

Following the service at 7pm, people will be invited to enjoy Christmas refreshments.

Every year Cotswold Care Hospice supports hundreds of people with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses, and also helps families and carers.

All of its services are provided free of charge and it has to raise around £3 million each year to continues its work.

For more details, see cotswoldcare.org.uk