THE SMITH family are celebrating Christmas around a very special tree this year.

Mum Lucy Smith, 37, from Lower Compton, discovered only weeks ago that she had cancer. Married to Richard, and with two young children - Lara, aged three, and little Leo who is just four months old - the discovery turned Lucy's life upside down.

"In November I was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer which not only is rare but extremely rare at my age," Lucy said. "I am currently undergoing chemotherapy to hopefully shrink the cancer down to become operable. Since then it has been a roller coaster for us as I had to spend twelve days in hospital being treated for sepsis before they could attempt my chemotherapy."

Lucy came home from hospital on November 26.

"Hannah's Trees delivered a beautiful tree and lovely decorations at a time when we needed it the most," Lucy said. "We couldn't make it to the farm to pick our tree due to my chemo treatment. Hannah's Trees have completely removed the stress and have helped give my family a much needed boost to start the festive season, and I cannot thank them enough. We now have the best Christmas tree ever to start our Christmas memories together!"

Lucy and her family have also been overwhelmed by the support they have received from friends, who have raised over £6000 to help them cope over the coming weeks as Lucy goes through chemotherapy, with Lucy on maternity leave and Richard taking time off to care for her.

"We have our family nearby too. I don't know how we would do it without family and the amount of people offering to help. It's absolutely amazing," Lucy said.

Hannah’s Trees was up in the memory of Hannah Owen who passed away aged just 13 in 2009 from a brain tumour recurrence. The charity celebrates her life by sharing the magic of Christmas.