THE amount of money raised by Blackheath’s Tree of Life at Christmas was more than £100 down on the previous year.

Sandwell cancer charity Bridges Support Service has received £635 from the12th annual appeal, compared to £800 last year – which was the second best total in its history.

Organiser Mary Docker, secretary of the Blackheath Business and Community Association, said it was still good response and she very pleased to hand over the money raised to the charity, which helps people with cancer and other palliative care needs.

The funds will go to the transport section whose volunteer drivers take cancer patients, who have no transport and cannot afford taxis or parking charges, to chemotherapy sessions.

The money is raised by people sponsoring a light on a cherry tree at St Paul’s Church, Long Lane, in memory of loved ones for a minimum £5 donation and Mrs Docker said the lights this year were “spectacular”.

“Compliments made to both St Paul’s and myself were phenomenal about the quality of the lights. The tree really did look good,” she added.