A way to think of your loved ones

But for others it can be a difficult period, particularly for those who have lost a loved one or have relations living in the far-flung corners of the world.

One way to bring comfort and remember a loved one during the festive season is to light a candle on the Swindon Cancer Appeal's Tree of Thought.

For a £5 donation families can sponsor a light on the tree in the South Mall of the Great Western Designer Outlet Village in Churchward.

Everyone who has sponsored the tree will then be invited to a special lighting-up ceremony on Wednesday, November 17 at 6.30pm.

Last year, more than 400 people took part in the Tree of Thought, and a number of people have already signed up to this year's event.

To sponsor a light all you have to do is fill out the coupon on this page.

All the money raised by the Tree of Thought will go towards improving the services for cancer patients in the town.

Swindon Cancer Appeal manager Graziella Campisano said: "This is something that Macmillan runs nationally across the country. It is not just for those who have lost a relative or friend to illness but for those who have family who are far away, travelling overseas or living abroad."

People will also be sent a hand-written Christmas card with the name of the person you are thinking of inside. The cards are hand written by members of the Macmillan fundraising committee.

Olive Newbold, who helped with the Tree of Thought last year said: "It was quite an interesting experience to be writing out goodwill messages to people. I think it brings a lot of comfort to people especially to those who have lost loved ones that they feel a little closer to them."

Since March last year, the appeal has raised more than £440,000.

The target is to raise £600,000 by 2006 to pay for two Macmillan nurses for the Great Western Hospital and a consultant in Palliative care to work at the hospital and the Prospect Hospice in Wroughton.

Click here to make a donation to the appeal online.