THE lights have been put up, the carols have been chosen and Father Christmas is on his way.

Now thousands of people will arrive in Woolston today to watch as the mayor of Southampton Cllr Linda Norris and Santa switch on hundreds of twinkling lights on the tree in Woolston Millennium Gardens.

Each light represents a loved one that has died after readers got behind an appeal to sponsor lights in tribute to someone they will be remembering this Christmas and raise cash for charity.

The Daily Echo-backed Tree of Light is set to raise hundreds for Southampton befriending charity Communicare who run services for some of the city’s most vulnerable people.

Their army of volunteers visit people in their homes, help with odd jobs, drive them to medical appointments and run a weekly lunch club in a bid to combat isolation and help people maintain their independence.

But in order to keep these services going the charity relies on donations and fundraising appeals including the Tree if Light.

Emily Arbery (pictured), volunteer and fundraising coordinator, said: “We’re delighted at the response to our Tree of Light 2016 campaign so far and are so exciting to see the mayor of Southampton Cllr Linda Norris switch the lights on.

“Christmas is a happy time for many, but for others it’s important to remember the loved ones we’ve lost. The Tree of Light is a great way to express those feelings, whilst also donating to charity.

“We’re really looking forward to the festival and hope to see lots of you there for the light switch on at 4.30pm.”

The lights will be switched on at 4.30pm today ahead of a carol service during Woolston Christmas Festival – but it’s not too late to sponsor a light for £5.

Each sponsor will be sent a remembrance star to put on their Christmas tree at home and get to see their loved ones’ names and photographs printed in a special memory book that will go on display in Communicare’s offices and travel around the city’s churches in 2016.

To sponsor a light fill in the form and send a cheque made out to Communicare in Southampton to Communicare in Southampton, The Keeble Centre, Shirley Baptist Church, Church St, Southampton SO15 5LG or call Emily on 023 8021 6023.

The names of those who have sponsored lights for the Tree of Light 2015 are:

Claire remembers Richard Emerton

Alan Diaper remembers Robin Diaper and Ilene Diaper

Paul Harris remembers Lynne Harris

Stella Thompson remembers Edna Dean

Paula Holmes remembers Russell Holmes and Jean & Bill Pugsley

Jo Dunford remembers Katja Dunford

Sheelagh Dragon remembers Charles Dragon

John Duncan remembers Terry Gerrard and Margaret Prince

B. G. Hitchiner remembers G. N. Hitchiner and J. M. Hitchiner

Mary Woods remembers Dave Woods

J Cole remembers Norman A Cole

Valerie Cole remembers Arthur Fox, Connie Hembry and Bernard Hembry

Margaret Marks remembers Olive Butcher

Thelma Hurrell remembers William Hurrell and Vicky Carter

Jennifer Paskins remembers Amanda Cobb

Christine Jay remembers James William Jay (Jim)

Ada Greenwood remembers Ernest Greenwood and Janet Bell

Ann Sammit remembers Vic Sammit, Elizabeth, Herbert & Kenneth Hampton and Lilian & Arch Nash

Joan Moxham remembers David

Ian Powis remembers Roy Starbuck

Doreen Powis remembers Roy Starbuck

Patricia Clary remembers Edward Clary (Ted)

Mrs Roman remembers Charlie Yates, Pop Yates and Maisie Gentle

Maureen French remembers Joyce Weable and Pearl Bathard

Valerie Hull remembers Don Hull

Julie Hull remembers Donald William Hull ‘Kins’

Marion Corneby remembers John Corneby

Jean Lewis remembers Phil Moody

Maureen Herring remembers Anthony and Christine O’Rourke

Hazel Bracher remembers John Bracher