HOSPICE staff have been given Christmas trees to bring festive cheer to patients.

Tim Smith, owner of Fred Smith Christmas Trees in Boxted, donated the trees to St Helena Hospice.

The trees range from 5ft to 8ft and have been decorated to bring cheer to patients, families and staff across St Helena Hospice’s sites including day therapy centres.

Many organisations close down for the Christmas period, but St Helena services remain open at all times.

For some patients staying at the hospice, this Christmas may be their last and staff want to provide lasting memories.

Tim Smith, owner of Fred Smith’s Christmas Trees, said: “I’m extremely pleased to continue supporting the hospice. “It’s a local cause we’ve been involved with for the past 33 years and we hope to continue supporting it.”

Sarah Wilson, fundraising manager at St Helena Hospice, said she was very grateful for the donation.

She said: “It is vital we are able to create a festive atmosphere for those staying at the hospice over the festive period.

“This may be the last Christmas they share with their friends and family and we want to make sure it’s a Christmas to remember.

“A beautifully decorated Christmas tree brings a gorgeous smell and can make someone smile and lift their spirits when they walk past it.

“We’re so grateful for the support from Tim Smith.”

St Helena Hospice will also be offering the tree recycling service once again this Christmas to those in the CO1-CO9 and CO11 postcode areas.

In return for a donation, volunteers will collect Christmas trees from outside homes and take them away to be recycled.

To register your tree visit sthelelena.org.uk/tree-cycle20.