OLYMPIAN Steve Cram has hung the first bauble on a charity Christmas tree in memory of his aunt, Joy Lynch.

Last year, the St Benedict’s Dedication Christmas Tree in the Bridges Shopping Centre, in Sunderland, raised £10,000 for the Wearside hospice.

People will be able to make a donation and add their own baubles to the tree in the lead up to Christmas, with all of the money raised going to support its work helping give people palliative care.

Ms Lynch was a regular volunteer at races organised by Mr Cram’s company, including the Run Sunderland events, where she recruited a team of friends and family to hand out water and cheer on runners on Ryhope Road.

She fought a brave battle against cancer, but passed away in October last year. Mr Cram said: “Aunty Joy was a very special lady and we miss her terribly.

“It’s been great to make a donation and remember her on the Dedication Tree in the Bridges shopping centre.

“This is a brilliant way to support the wonderful work done by St. Benedict’s Hospice and I hope that the tree raises a lot of money in the lead up to Christmas.”

St Benedict’s Hospice was the official charity partner for the 2017 Siglion Sunderland City Half Marathon and 10K, and will be again in 2018.

Catrina Flynn, head of fundraising at St. Benedict’s Hospice, said: “On behalf of St Benedict’s Hospice, I was delighted to welcome Steve to our Dedication Tree and we are grateful to him for coming along to launch our 2017 appeal by putting a dedication on the tree in memory of his late aunt.”