The Rotary Club of Warwick's president has helped organise the Lights of Love tree in the town for people to light a candle in honour of relatives and friends who have died, are away during Christmas, or those who are most special to them.

Visitors can leave a personal message in a tributes book and make a pledge to the mayor's charity Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance or Macmillan Cancer Support.

Mrs Atkins, whose brothers Eric died of prostate cancer and Keith of a brain tumour within a few months in 2006, explained why it is important to raise funds for Macmillan. She said: "I had always heard of Macmillan but I couldn't believe the good work they do. They help make the unbearable bearable - they were on 24-hour call and would come out very quickly to help. They allow their patients great dignity and are very unobtrusive while being extremely supportive."

Mrs Atkins explained how while Eric was being cared for a Macmillan nurse went out of her way to find a doctor to get him medication and how the charity offered comfort to her sister-in-law during his last days.

She added: "It is one of those charities you know about but don't realise how great they are until you experience what they do. I really can't praise them highly enough - they are wonderful, compassionate, caring and very skilled people. Their understanding of how you feel is brilliant and they are such a help when you are in that situation."

The tree in Market Square was illuminated during Warwick's Victorian Evening and Christmas lights switch-on on Thursday.

Macmillan fundraising manager Lindsay Butler said: "We are delighted that the mayor of Warwick and the rotary club have chosen us as one of their charities for their fabulous campaign the Christmas. All the money raised will go to providing practical, medical, financial and emotional support for people affected by cancer."

People can add a name until December 21 and forms are available at Warwick post office or Claridges.

A dedication service will be held at the tree on December 14 at 4pm.

www.macmillan.org.uk/covandwarks