LITTLE two-year-old Francesca Valdez pressed a button - and lit up Halton in memory of her grandad, Dom.She switched on thousands of twinkling lights on two giant Christmas trees in the garden of Halton Haven.

The hospice's Light Up A Life appeal raised a staggering £10,000 in just four weeks this year - a fitting tribute to its courageous founder, Dom Valdez who died suddenly in February.

This year's event had added poignancy as it would have been Dom's 60th birthday.

One Christmas tree was dedicated to Dom and the other lit up in memory of the loved ones of hundreds of local families.

Dom's widow, Lyn unveiled a plaque in the haven's entrance to celebrate Dom's remarkable achievement.

His son, Martin told hundreds of people who gathered for the event: "My dad would have been chuffed to bits.

"Very few people were loved and respected as much as my dad. Please continue to raise funds for the haven. They need your support now more than ever."

Organiser, trustee Jean Oldroyd said: "I would like to thank everyone who has helped to make this year's event such a success. You really have helped us to light up Halton for Dom."

Children from Moore primary school joined with Halton Orpheus Choir to lead a candle-lit carol service. Runcorn air cadets formed a guard of honour round the Christmas trees.

Haven chaplain, Murdishaw priest Fr Bernard Forshaw said: "This is a particularly poignant evening as it would have been Dom's 60th birthday.

"We also remember all our loved ones, especially patients and friends of the haven who have died during the past year."

The names of people sponsored in Light Up A Life were entered in a Book of Honour.

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