“Disappointed and a feeling of despondency and gloom” were the emotions expressed by Farnham homeowner Mandy Main after the disappearance of Christmas trees plunged parts of a charity Yuletide extravaganza outside her home into darkness.

Mandy teamed up with a number of Boundstone neighbours to put on the extravagant woodland display – one of 32 light shows currently forming Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care’s first-ever Christmas Lights Tour, raising vital cash for the Covid-hit charity.

And she shared her dismay at the mean-spirited theft online, posting on the Farnham Rants Facebook group: “Until a few days ago we had Christmas trees covering a muddy patch as part of our winter woodland for the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Twinkle fundraiser.

“They have magically disappeared – what a shame.”

But Mandy’s sadness soon turned into a feeling of seasonal joy thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the community. Offers of replacement trees and numerous donations to the seasonal appeal quickly flooded in, turning her gloom into a bright warm glow.

Mandy and her neighbours originally set out to create a display of around a dozen trees for the hospice. But their vision took a turn when neighbour Adele Regan posted an appeal for trees on Farnham Rants in November.

The numbers soared as locals doubled the tree count in 24 hours – forcing them to turn down many kind offers as the space outside Mandy’s home on Boundstone Road was full.

No stranger to supporting the hospice with her plant stall, Mandy also offered the use of her driveway to help with the selling of wreathes, table and festive decoration after the annual Christmas fayre normally hosted at the hospice had to be cancelled.

Supporters of the charity worked tirelessly to make Christmas ornaments and heroically helped man the stall in wintry weather – raising an extra £800 for the hospice.

Phyllis Tuckwell’s Christmas Lights Tour runs until December 31. Download a map at www.pth.org.uk