Every Christmas the nation sends some 1.8 billion festive cards with charity cards accounting for almost a third of those purchased.

But with many of the big-name high street stores donating only a tiny fraction of the profits to good causes, local charity St Giles Hospice is urging shoppers to choose their cards with care.

This year’s annual survey by the Charities Advisory Trust - which provides an impartial source of information on all aspects of trading for charities - reveals that Marks & Spencer and Boots will hand over 10% of the purchase price of their charity Christmas cards to nominated charities. Woolworths will give only an average of just over 10%, and Next an average of only 9%.

Even one of the most generous high street retailers - WH Smith - will hand over just 20% from the sale of its charity card range to worthy causes.

In stark comparison, nearly 50% of the profits from the sale of St Giles Hospice’s Christmas cards go directly to help care for local people living with cancer and other serious illnesses.

St Giles Hospice Shops General Manager Lynwen Truesdale comments: “In many cases a lot of money from the sale of charity Christmas cards goes to the high street retailer and only a very small sum to their nominated worthy cause.

“However, our high-quality cards are a great way to send a seasonal message to family and friends and almost half of the price of every pack goes to support our valuable work.

“That’s five times more than that handed over by many of the high street giants.

“So this year we are asking people to think before they buy charity Christmas cards - and help a worthy cause which works for the benefit of people in need.“

St Giles Christmas cards are on sale at the hospice’s network of charity shops across the region, as well as the Lymphoedema Clinic and shop at the hospice, the groups of Friends of St Giles Hospice and on-line via the hospice website at www.stgileshospice.com/shops.

The cards feature 24 different designs and prices range from £2.25 to £3.75 per pack of 10. A selection of personalised and business cards, overprinted with address details and a festive message, is also available.

For more information call 01543 481 042.

St Giles Hospice is a registered charity offering high-quality medical and nursing care for people with cancer and other serious illness, as well as providing support for their families and carers.

Patients come from across the hospice’s catchment area, which ranges from Ashby de la Zouch and Atherstone in the east, to Cannock and Walsall in the west – and from Burton and Uttoxeter in the north, to Sutton Coldfield and Coleshill in the south.

Care is offered either at the hospice in Whittington, near Lichfield, or in patients’ own homes across the region, where community nurses have made more than 7,000 visits over the past twelve months.

The range of high-quality, specialist services are expensive to provide, and the hospice relies heavily on donations and fundraising – including the proceeds from the sale of its charity Christmas cards.