When you've lost a loved one, Christmas can be one of the most difficult times of the year.

The Tree of Remembrance provides an opportunity to remember someone special during the festive season, and to make a donation to support your local hospice service.

Last year the Tree of Remembrance raised almost $30,000 for Waipuna Hospice in the Western Bay of Plenty.

The majority of trees are hosted in Farmers stores, including those in Downtown Tauranga and Bayfair. Customers make a donation at the counter to receive a decoration to write a message on and hang on the tree. You can also purchase a special bauble for your own Christmas tree for $10.

In the Western Bay of Plenty you can also find remembrance trees at the following locations:

Countdown Cameron Road, Pak'n Save Tauranga Crossing and Brookfield New World until Sunday, December 10; Harvey Norman Mount Maunganui, Saturday-Sunday, December 9-10; Pak'n Save Papamoa, Countdown Bureta and Palmers Bethlehem from Thursday-Sunday, December 14-17; Tauranga's Christmas in the Park on Saturday, December 9; Tauranga Farmers Market Saturday, December 16 and Mount Main Street Market Sunday, December 17.

Waipuna Hospice provides specialist medical care for Western Bay of Plenty people living with a life-limiting illness, as well as providing support services for their families. This year it has cared for about 1000 patients.