MTS Group lent its Bobcat T40140 tele handler to Wakefield Hospice to help manoeuvre its Christmas tree into position for planting.

MTS Group, based in Wakefield in Yorkshire in the UK, helped Wakefield Hospice to plant a new 'Tree of Lights', using one of the company's new Bobcat T40140 telescopic handlers.

This year, the hospice chose not to opt for a disposable Christmas tree, but decided to plant one as a permanent 'Tree of Lights' feature in their grounds.

Asked to help, MTS Group said it was happy to donate the use of its 14 m (46 ft.) Bobcat T40140 telehandler to manoeuvre the tree into position for planting. MTS Bobcat sales executive Alistair Russell also joined the other volunteers to plant the tree safely in the hospice grounds.

Now in place, the new 'Tree of Lights' is expected to play a central role each year as part of the hospice's annual Light up a Life Appeal, where local people are invited to sponsor a light on the tree to honour the memory of a loved one who has passed away.

The tree planted in the hospice grounds.

Held over three days in December, the appeal is based around community services held at the hospice itself, at the neighbourhood St Peter and St Paul's Church and ends with two services at Wakefield Cathedral, with every sponsored light being illuminated during each of the services.

MTS has one of the largest Bobcat rental fleets in Europe. Along with Bobcat compact loaders, excavators and attachments, the company currently has eight Bobcat telehandlers for hire.

On average, the Wakefield Hospice caters for over 300 in-patients and 1,800 day therapy attendances annually. No charge is made for care, so the hospice relies mainly on fundraising initiatives to help meet its annual running costs, which exceed GBP3 million (USD4.7 million). To donate, go to www.wakefieldhospice.org/Support-Us/Fundraising/Donate.