BUSINESSES have rallied round a Colchester hospice - to make the most of Christmas.

Fred Smith Christmas Trees have pledged to donate trees to St Helena Hospice as part of its Tree of Memories campaign.

The trees supplied by the family-run business, based in Boxted, will be put iup in the St Helena Hospice Myland Hall site as well as the Tendring Day Centre, in Clacton.

They will be decorated with the dedication baubles, have made in memory of loved ones.

Tim Smith, owner of Fred Smith’s Christmas Trees said: “I’m extremely pleased to continue supporting the hospice.

“It’s a local cause that we’ve been involved with for the last 30 years and we hope to continue supporting it.”

Publishing company Informa, based in Sheepen Place, in Colchester, has selected the hospice as its charity of the year.

It has also agreed to sponsor some of the trees.

Lou Davison, events co-ordinator at the hospice, said: “We are so grateful to both Fred Smith’s Christmas Trees and Informa for their kindness. It’s lovely that we can have these Christmas trees put up across our hospice buildings to help bring joy over the festive season. ”

The Tree of Memories appeal will run until December 12.

It gives people the chance to make a dedication for a loved one in return for a donation to the hospice.

To find out more, go to sthelenahospice.org.uk/memories14.