CHILDREN at Worcester-based Acorns Children's Hospice for the Three Counties got into the festive mood following the donation of a Christmas tree by a garden centre.

Chris Schofield, manager of St Peters Garden Centre, Pear Tree Farm, Worcester, presented the tree to Acorns fund-raiser Mandie Fitzgerald.

She said: “It costs £750 a day per child to provide Acorns’ care. Care is free to families but most of the costs have to be raised from the community, so our children and families are overjoyed at this generosity.”

Mr Schofield said: “At St Peter’s we endeavour to support local schools and charities as best we can during these difficult economic times. We have worked hard this year to help improve the vegetable and wild garden at Perry Wood Primary School.

“We feel that Acorns’ work in the West Midlands is invaluable to the children and their families. We have assisted with Acorns in previous years with horticultural projects in the fantastic gardens they own and we will continue to support them as much as possible.”