A big thank you to all our Guiding Lights volunteers: shining examples of kindness in action

11th November 2026/
  • More than 70 volunteers kindly gave their time, energy and enthusiasm to help make St Luke’s Guiding Lights sculpture trail such a big success.
  • From moving and maintaining 40 lighthouse sculptures to supporting trail-related events, their contribution was invaluable.
  • Long-standing friends John Lee and Phil Allen share how hospice volunteering keeps them active, strengthens connections and brings them the satisfaction of making a difference for their community.

From lifting and shifting the giant lighthouse sculptures to keeping them looking shipshape, a dedicated team of more than 70 big-hearted volunteers was at the heart of our hugely popular Guiding Lights trail – every step of the way!

A big thank you to all who generously gave their time, skills and energy, many taking on several roles. Some were familiar faces from established volunteering teams across our charity, while others were getting involved for the first time, including supporters from community-spirited local businesses.

Whatever their role, they shared a willingness to roll up their sleeves and help make Guiding Lights something truly special for Plymouth. Quite simply, we couldn’t have done it without them!

The team behind the trail
While thousands of people enjoyed discovering the 40 beautifully illustrated lighthouses across our city, behind the scenes our volunteers’ contributions – before, during and for the finale – helped ensure everything ran smoothly.

Our ‘Lighthouse Keepers’ looked after the sculptures throughout the summer, cleaning them, checking for damage and championing the trail. Others provided the muscle to move the lighthouses around the city, protected them during transportation and storage, helped set up and pack away events, promoted the trail and put in shifts at our pop-up merchandise shop in the Armada Centre.

Whenever an extra pair of hands was needed, our volunteers were there, helping bring the trail to life for the enjoyment of locals, visitors and tourists alike.

Phil and John in their rugby days

Fifty years of friendship, new shared adventure
Among those lending a hand were friends John Lee and Phil Allen, both retired and in their 70s, whose friendship stretches back more than 50 years.

The duo first became friends playing rugby for Plymouth YMCA in the 1980s. Although they kept in touch over the years, volunteering for St Luke’s has brought them into much more regular contact.

John was already volunteering for our charity when, while the pair were stewarding at Plymouth Albion, he suggested Phil might enjoy getting involved. He told him about Men’s Day Out – the camaraderie, atmosphere and legendary banter – and persuaded him to give it a go. Phil was soon hooked!

Both valued members of our Events team, the twosome generously give their time to support flagship events, including Midnight Walk, Tour de Moor and Light up a Life, as well as Men’s Day Out. From putting out signs to marshalling, they’re happy to get stuck in, even when that means a 6am start and a long day ahead.

For John, retirement was never going to mean putting his feet up. The former civil engineer said: “Volunteering keeps you active and involved in life. There’s a great team spirit among the staff and volunteers, and you get to chat to people from all walks of life who you probably wouldn’t otherwise have met.

“It’s great knowing you’re doing something worthwhile for St Luke’s and the families who need them, and you enjoy yourself at the same time. We get back far more than we put in.”

From blank canvas to city attraction
John and Phil’s involvement in Guiding Lights began in February, when the blank lighthouse sculptures arrived at the Armada Centre.

They helped install the sculptures there before the artists worked their magic, then varnished them and positioned each one for professional photography. Next came bubble wrapping, transportation to Devonport Guildhall for the launch, and getting the lighthouses into position across Plymouth.

Throughout the summer, they helped keep the sculptures clean and checked for damage, before moving them to the University of Plymouth ahead of the grand finale auction.

For both men, seeing how much pleasure the trail brought to people of all ages was particularly heartwarming. Phil, who also worked as a civil engineer, said: “We saw grandparents and grandchildren, families, tourists and local people all stopping to admire the lighthouses. People were genuinely enchanted by them. We’d seen how much work the artists had put into every sculpture, so there was a real sense of pride in helping to look after their work.

“I enjoy being useful and contributing, but volunteering doesn’t have to mean talking to people all day. There are all sorts of jobs that need doing. For me, it’s about keeping active, being part of a team and knowing you’re helping St Luke’s.”

Different people, one shared purpose
While neither has personally needed St Luke’s care within their own family, both feel reassured, knowing the charity is there should they – or a loved one – ever require specialist end-of-life care.

Their story is just one example of the tremendous contribution made by everyone who volunteered for Guiding Lights. Together, they brought the enthusiasm, practical support and community spirit that made this ambitious project possible.

St Luke’s Events Manager Georgina Dyke said: “The volunteers in our cohort are the most special group of individuals. Their unwavering support over the last year has contributed to the success of not only our annual events, but the undertaking of our city-wide sculpture trail, too.

“We are so grateful that they chose to support St Luke’s so generously and want them to know just how magical they enable our fundraising experiences to be!”

To every single person who volunteered for Guiding Lights: thank you! You are shining lights of kindness in action, and we couldn’t be more grateful for your support.

Inspired to get involved? As John and Phil have discovered, retiring from work certainly doesn’t mean retiring from life! Volunteering at any age can bring new experiences, friendships and the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping St Luke’s be there for local families when they need us most.

Could your next adventure be with us? Find out more at www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/volunteering/.

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