A TREE of Remembrance based outside Marks & Spencer in the Dolphin Shopping Centre has raised a record-breaking amount for Forest Holme Hospice.

This year the Poole-based charity has taken nearly £7,500 through donations and sales of merchandise, which is nearly double the amount they took in 2018.

The hospice partnered with the Dolphin Shopping Centre in Poole to house the tree for three weeks during the run up to Christmas.

Fundraising Manager Paul Tucker said: “We'd firstly like to thank John Grinnell and his team at the Dolphin Shopping Centre for giving the tree such a prominent position and for all their help and support.

“The result has been phenomenal, and they have already invited us back next year, which is fantastic.

“We also want to thank everyone who kindly donated to the stand and all our wonderful volunteers for manning it every day over the last few weeks.”

Shoppers had the opportunity to hang a star on the tree in memory of someone special, in exchange for a donation towards the hospice charity.

Forest Holme Hospice provides end of life care and support to more than 1,000 local people each year with advanced cancer and other life-limiting illnesses across Poole, Wimborne and Isle of Purbeck.

Each year the Charity needs to raise at least £850,000 to help enhance the NHS provision at the hospice and ensure that Forest Holme is there for patients and their family and friends during the most difficult time of their lives.