A COUPLE from Earley have raised more than £250 for a local charity after starting a community project on decorating their tree.

Alex and Debbie Race announced in late November last year that they were going to make the tree at the front of their home a community Christmas tree, allowing residents to put any decorations up.

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With each tree decoration put up, the family said they would donate 50p to Launchpad Reading, a charity that seeks to help the homeless.

The couple have since announced that they have since raised £150 (which they made their limit), matched by the Sage Foundation, meaning £300 was donated to the charity on January 9.

Earley Resident, Alex Race, said: "Thank you to everyone who contributed to our 'Community Christmas Tree' this year.

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"We have been blown away by the number of people who have put decorations on our tree, put money through our letter box and sent us notes of support and encouragement.

"I am proud to say that together, and boosted by contribution-matching by Sage Foundation we have donated £300 to Launchpad Reading - tackling homelessness in our local community. Many thanks for all your support."