Employees from Zurich UK and Michelmores have come together to complete a series of festive challenges to spread Christmas goodwill to volunteers, staff and patients of Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.

Every summer and Christmas, employees from Zurich UK are presented with a series of challenges through the Zurich Community Trust, with teams being awarded different tasks to complete to benefit the local community.

This year, staff from Cheltenham-based Michelmores joined forces with Zurich to help give a much-needed morale boost to Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court's hospice staff, volunteers and patients this Christmas.

The first challenge saw Zurich's generous employees donate and decorate a spectacular Christmas tree for the hospice's chapel before beginning the mammoth task of sourcing and wrapping 40 Christmas presents for hospice staff to present to patients over the festive period.

The final challenge was carried out by a team from Michelmores, who sprinkled a touch of Christmas magic in the hospice's day unit, decorating the room which is used to host art sessions, therapies and out-patient appointments.

Lisa Plumpton from Zurich UK said: "We are so proud to be part of the challenge this year. We are in awe of the care, love, support and attention that the hospice provides for the patients, carers, volunteers and families, especially over the festive period. We hope that our gifts help, even in a little way."

Chris Massey, a partner in Michelmores' private property and landed estates team and head of both the private wealth sector and Michelmores' Cheltenham office, commented: "We were absolutely delighted to be allowed to unleash Michelmores' crack legal team of Christmas decorators across Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.

"As Michelmores' Cheltenham office's chosen charity, touching so many across our community, it's especially humbling to be able to provide this small thank you to the exceptional staff for all that they do and to hang some Christmas cheer around such a special place. We very much look forward to continuing our support and fundraising for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice in 2024."

The chapel Christmas tree isn't the only festive fir at the hospice this year. Since 2017, long-term volunteer and supporter Dave Cant has arranged for a tree to be installed on the front lawn outside the inpatient unit for everyone to enjoy.

This year, the 15-foot Nordman Fir was donated by The Dawn Nurseries, Shurdington, with Dave and the wonderful hospice maintenance team adding over 1,200 sparkling blue and white lights.

Graham Stubbs, who heads up the care teams as head of clinical services at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, said: "On behalf of all the staff, I'd like to extend a huge thank you to our friends at Zurich UK and Michelmores, along with The Dawn Nurseries and our fantastic volunteer Dave, for helping create some wonderful memories at the hospice this Christmas.

"It means such a lot to all of us and will make Christmas extra special for our patients too."