TV star Neil Pearson joined staff from St Teresa's Hospice to launch this year's Giving to Life Christmas Tree in Darlington's Cornmill Centre.
The actor is appearing in Taking Sides at the Darlington Civic Theatre.
For a suggested donation of £2 shoppers will be able to write personal messages on Christmas card baubles to hang on the tree.
In return they will receive a gold or silver star to depict the National Hospice Light up a Life Campaign.
Jane Bradshaw, hospice director: "This has been a very exciting year for the hospice and our dream of opening a bedded unit will soon come to fruition, so all our fundraising efforts are vitally important."
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