CHRISTMAS trees now twinkle at the bedsides of hospice patients, thanks to the kindness of staff at a Darlington law firm.

The team at DMA Law brought a touch of festive cheer to staff and patients at St Teresa’s Hospice when they delivered six Christmas trees on Monday afternoon.

The trees were donated to the hospice’s in-patient unit in a bid to ensure every person staying there over the festive period could have one to brighten up their room.

The kind gesture came at the end of a year that has seen the law firm organise events and fundraise in a bid to show its support for the vital service on its doorstep.

Claire Plews, manager at the firm’s Link service, said: “We’ve been working closely with St Teresa’s Hospice lately and doing what we can to help them.

“We’ve built up a good relationship and thought it would be a nice idea to get the six Christmas trees for the in-patients to have in their rooms.

“They’re beautiful trees with lights and it has been lovely for our staff to be able to do something so nice.

“We hope that having a tree will give those there something beautiful to look at and will bring Christmas spirit to their rooms.

“They only cost us £150 and that’s absolutely nothing for something that can bring people some joy.

“Everyone at the hospice has been really grateful for our support and we want to do what we can because it’s just around the corner from us and we want to try and help them.”

In the summer, a bake sale organised by DMA staff raised more than £300 for the hospice, helping to boost the amount donated by the firm to support St Teresa’s staff in their valuable work.

Ms Plews said: “As a firm, we’re becoming more community orientated and we’re trying to get involved in as many things as we can that support the community.

“With the nature of our work, we hear a lot about what’s happening in the town and we know how important the hospice is.

“St Teresa’s is beautiful and we appreciate what they do there for families, it is a cause very close to our hearts.”

John Paul Stabler from St Teresa's said: "We are really grateful, the trees will spread some festive joy to patients and their families at what can be a really tough time. DMA has supported us across the year and we want to thank them for their efforts."