CHRISTMAS is a time for giving, and for one family it is also a time for giving back.

The faces of this year's Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice Light Up a Life appeal, teenagers Holly and Daisy Miles, are keen to raise awareness of the work done for patients and their families.

Their dad David, from Burnside, died in November 2012 at the age of 52 after being diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, and they were overwhelmed by the help and support he received from the hospice in his final weeks.

"The care at the hospice was fantastic," remembers Daisy, 15, a pupil at Stonelaw High School.

"It didn't feel like a hospital, it was so friendly and comfortable. He had his music playing in his room. Everyone was just so understanding."

Now they are backing the Christmas appeal, along with their younger siblings, Poppy, 10, and Noah, eight.

The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice's annual Light Up A Life appeal gives people the opportunity to celebrate memories of a loved one and share them with family and friends at the same time as making a valuable contribution to the work of the hospice.

You can do this either by remembering them with a light on the Christmas tree at the hospice, or by creating a light for them on the website.

When you make a dedication you are invited to make a donation. As well as celebrating the lasting memory of absent friends or family, you are helping the hospice continue its vital work in Glasgow.

Last year's appeal raised mor than £25,000.

The hospice will be holding a special Light Up A Life carol concert at St Andrew's Cathedral, Clyde Street, on Sunday at 3.30pm.

The name of the person being remembered will be included in a special Order of Service and at the end of the concert guests will be invited to see the lights being switched on at the hospice at Carlton Place, with each one shining in memory of someone special.

When Holly and Daisy lost their dad to cancer last year they channelled their grief into something positive, organising a charity night at the City Chambers in his memory.

Friends and family rallied round to raise an impressive £15,000 for the hospice.

"We wanted to do it to give something back... the hospice had been so good to my dad," explains Holly, 17, a student at the University of the West of Scotland.

"We had a band and an auction, it was a fantastic night. It was the week before the first anniversary of when he died and it was filled with his pals.

"It was lovely to talk about him with everyone - some people brought pictures of him and pinned them on the wall. It was a happy night, just a lovely celebration of his life."

David worked for British Airways for 25 years and was a volunteer with the RSPB at Lochwinnoch, an interest that still lives on with his children. Noah and Poppy still regularly visit the nature reserve.

Daisy and her younger brother and sister all received help with dealing with the loss of a loved one from the hospice's Butterfly Project.

Gathering in peer age groups, they get the chance to talk about their feelings and get advice while making memory jars or framing photographs of the person they have lost.

"The Butterfly Project really helped," says Daisy.

"You got to know lots of people who had been through the same thing. It seemed to be easier to talk about things and feel more comfortable when people brought it up."

The children's mum Marjie still remembers how attentive the staff were at the hospice when David was ill.

"Nothing was a bother and he could have asked for anything, which helped take away some of the anxiety that he had. Everything just became calmer.

DAVID always astounded everyone with how brave he was, especially for the children. His first thought was always for them."

The Light Up a Life appeal was founded in 1994 as a way to celebrate the hospice's 10th anniversary.

To create a light online, visit www.ppwh.org.uk/lightupalife.

The name of your loved one will be placed next to a shining light on its own dedication page, alongside your tribute. Your dedication will also be included in the Light up a Life Carol Concert Order of Service.

angela.mcmanus@ eveningtimes.co.uk