The dates for the Christmas tree lights turning-on ceremonies at hospitals have been announced.

King George Hospital, in Goodmayes, will hold the ceremony at 4pm on December 1 and Queen's Hospital, in Romford, will hold its ceremony on 4.30pm on December 4.

The services will give patients, visitors and staff the chance to remember their lost loved ones by sponsoring a light on the tree with a dedicated message.

Money raised will go towards the Treasured Memories Appeal, which supports bereaved children and young people by providing them with memory boxes.

The boxes are put together by families with support from the hospitals’ palliative care team.

They contain books which help children to come to terms with their loss, and presents from their loved one for special occasions such as their 21st birthday or wedding day.

Included for a suggested minimum donation of £5 per loved one is a personal dedication to decorate the tree and a certificate and candle for visitors, staff or patients to keep.

Alternatively, for a suggested minimum donation of £3, the dedication will simply be placed on the tree.

Tracey Wells, a Macmillan nurse at Queen's, said: “Treasured Memories is a special part of palliative care. It enables the team to support families to create memories for their children to keep for a life time.”

The Barking, Havering and Redbridge University NHS trust, which runs both hospitals, is currently in special measures with a debt of around £40m.