Pause for Hope service takes place at Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral this weekend

Ceremonies take place at the Metropolitan Cathedral
-Credit: (Image: Liverpool Echo)


Liverpool Echo readers shared their hope-filled messages for those whose lives are impacted by cancer ahead of a major service of reflection. Pause for Hope returns on Sunday, September 22 to the Metropolitan Cathedral where a number of those messages will be read out to the congregation.

Everyone is welcome to join the annual ecumenical service which gets underway at 3pm and tickets are not required. The event is made up of music, prayers and reflections and guests are invited to light a candle for their own special intention.

The candles will be displayed in front of the High Altar for the duration of the service while the music and songs come from Billy Hui and the SingMe Merseyside choir.

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Pause for Hope is a charity founded 25 years ago in Liverpool which has since branched out to other parts of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. There have been services in London, Chester, Manchester, Glasgow, Belfast, Birmingham and South Wales. It fulfils a need many people have to turn to prayer as a means of finding hope and meaning in their situation.

It was founded by the current president Professor Ray Donnelly, a chest surgeon who recognised the challenges posed by lung cancer in the Liverpool area and whose work and fundraising gave rise to the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

Professor Ray Donnelly, founder of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.
Professor Ray Donnelly, founder of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. -Credit:Geoff Davies

For the first time in a number of years, North West Cancer Research and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation have joined forces to promote Sunday's service. Chair of North West Cancer Research and the main speaker at the event, Catherine Jones, told the Echo "Fighting cancer isn't just about clinical treatment" and "one's outlook can be helpful".