Isabel Hospice’s Care at Christmas campaign raised a whopping £120,000 for vital palliative care services.

Over the holiday season, the eastern Hertfordshire community came together in a remarkable display of generosity, raising an impressive amount to support the Welwyn Garden City-based charity.

The Care at Christmas campaign comprised of various festive and seasonal events, including the return of the environmentally friendly Christmas tree recycling campaign, Christmas at the Manor, Carols in the Chapel, five remarkable Lights of Love remembrance services, and a Christmas Jumper Day.

The annual Christmas Tree Recycling campaign, designed to collect real Christmas trees in exchange for a suggested donation, raised almost £30,000 this year.

The tree collection service covered all areas of eastern Hertfordshire and aimed to be an effective environmentally friendly way for individuals to recycle their Christmas trees.

This service relies upon the amazing and dedicated team of volunteers who helped distribute leaflets as well as tirelessly collect and dispose of over 1,500 trees.

Isabel's head of fundraising Katy O'Sullivan said: "Our remarkable volunteers stepped up once again, distributing leaflets to houses and collecting hundreds of trees.

"We are so grateful for all the work they do!”

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Isabel Hospice President, Barbara Doherty MBE, and her Special Events Committee held two festive events for Isabel Hospice, Christmas at the Manor and Carols in the Chapel.

Both these events were a huge success, with over 200 attendees at each and showcased the true spirit of the festive season whilst raising much-needed funds for Isabel Hospice.

Isabel Hospice’s annual Lights of Love remembrance services in 2023 comprised of events which were held in Buntingford, Cheshunt, Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth, with the main service taking place at Mill Green Golf Club in Welwyn Garden City.

With over 900 people coming together to celebrate and remember their loved ones, these heartwarming ceremonies provided readings and a chance to reflect for all who attended.

The Lights of Love Book of Dedications received over 900 touching messages in memory of loved ones.

Claire Melinte, community fundraiser at Isabel Hospice, said: “Schools, local businesses and clubs also really embraced the Christmas spirit and came together in full force by taking part in our Christmas Jumper Day.”

Katy added: “We would like to thank our supporters and amazing volunteers for coming together — they always do over the festive season.

"We are delighted to have hit our target of £120,000 and to have raised such a significant amount that will go a long way towards helping Isabel Hospice care for local people and their families affected by life-limiting illnesses.”