The Brecon community has come together once again to install the Christmas tree outside Usk House Day Hospice, Brecon, part of St David’s Hospice Care.

Organising this Christmas tree each year is a very much a community effort - with many local people involved, each contributing their part. This year is the 15th year that the impressive tree has been put up outside Usk House.

David Edwards, of Tilhill Forestry very kindly donates the Christmas tree each year. It is delivered to Brecon from Landovery by his local manager, Alan and Sam (he carefully selects the tree - “It’s the best yet!”)

Jason Jenkins and his driver Dan Ferguson at Jenkins builders merchants help each year to lift the large tree into position with their crane.

Ollie Metcalfe, owner of OTM Groundscare Ltd used his cherry picker to put on the Christmas lights. All ably assisted by Dr Paul Metcalfe and Dr David Johnson.

Usk House has traditionally raised funds from the Christmas Tree lights as well as it being a feature for the patients and families of those who use the facility.

The main Christmas lights are in the centre of Brecon, so the Usk House tree helps to light up the Llanfaes end of Brecon and many local people have commented that it helps bring Christmas cheer to people crossing the Usk Bridge, either by car or as pedestrians.

Usk House and their Newport-based parent organisation, St David’s Hospice, continue to play a large part in delivering palliative care to patients in Brecon, at both Usk House and in their homes.

St David’s Hospice Care is committed to providing bespoke, individual ‘free’ care for all their patients and their families. They work alongside patients and hope to support them at the most difficult times of their lives. Their aim is to ensure that patients have choice about the care they receive whilst maintaining dignity throughout their journey is paramount. Their care is provided free throughout Newport, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Torfaen and south and mid Powys.

They now have to raise £9 million pounds every year, with a around 30 per cent being supported by NHS, leaving the rest to be self-generated.

In order to raise the funds required, they run a weekly lottery, have a network of 38 charity shops together with a donation depot while they organise and facilitate fundraising events throughout the year.

Full more information visit: www.stdavidshospicecare.org

This year there are two ways to donate:

1. Click here to visit their donation page on JustGiving

2. Text to make a donation:

Text CWTCH 3 TREE to give £3

Text CWTCH 5 TREE to give £5

Text CWTCH 10 TREE to give £10

Text CWTCH 15 TREE to give £15

Text CWTCH 20 TREE to give £20