ABOUT 100 Christmas trees were snapped up in Malmesbury over the weekend in aid of the beleaguered country where Christmas has reportedly been cancelled.

Charity worker Kim Findlay raised nearly £1,800 for Sierra Leone selling the festive firs and spruces at Malmesbury School on Saturday and Sunday.

The money has gone straight into the coffers of the Luckington-based charity Alive & Well which is in urgent need of funds to fight the spread of deadly ebola.

The charity sinks wells to provide people in the African nation with fresh water. But it has suspended operations in a bid to help prevent the disease breaking out in the area where it operates.

Alive & Well MD Mr Findlay said: “We sold pretty much all the trees and all profits will go directly to Alive & Well’s activities helping to combat ebola.”

Counting the weekend’s proceeds from a plastic ice cream tub used as a cash box he said: “The weather was very kind to us. We did really well.”

It was the fourth year that Mr Findlay had sold Christmas trees – donated by a trustee who grows and imports them – on behalf of Alive & Well.

He said: “We had many returning customers not just because of the charity element but because the trees are very good. Many commented that they were even greener and lusher than last year.

“Many customers wanted to talk about our work. I was particularly delighted because two people asked how they could get involved with the charity.”

Mr Findlay added: “The latest news from Sierra Leone is that Christmas is cancelled.

“The government has said that gatherings at Christmas where people may dance and sweat are to be banned because of a fear of spreading the disease further.”

Mr Findlay can be contacted at k.findlay@alivewell.org.uk