Bargain Hunt star Christina Trevanion switches on Telford Tree of Light - video
Christmas is a time to share with loved ones, family and friends. But when you lose someone close, it can be a very difficult time.
That's something Christina Trevanion knows all too well, and the reason, she said, she wanted to get involved with Telford's annual Tree of Light appeal.
The BBC auctioneer, a regular face on Bargain Hunt, was chosen as the person to switch on the lights on the tree.
Christina, who co-runs auction house Trevanion and Dean in Whitchurch, said: "I lost my father three years ago to cancer and I know Christmas can be a very difficult time, but it is also a time where we get together and remember people. As a mummy of two little ones I also think it is wonderful that this year's appeal is supporting Hope House."
Christina joined Wellington Rotary president Peter Seaward on stage to switch on the tree at Telford Shopping Centre.
The annual charity appeal, run by the four Rotary clubs of Telford allows people to display the name of someone they want remembered at Christmas, in exchange for a small donation, to be shared between selected local charities.
The four rotary clubs together with the Tree of Light trustees have decided that half of the funds raised in 2016 will be donated to Severn Hospice, a quarter to Hope House, an eighth to the KIP project, for the homeless in Telford, with the other eighth being shared between Homestart and the Age UK Telford Befriending Appeal.
So far the appeal has already raised over £20,000.
and has seen people submit the names of over 2,000 loved ones.
The Rotarians chose to donate a larger slice to Hope House, as both the hospice and the tree are both marking their 21st anniversary.
Lynsey Kilvert, from the Hospice, said: "They are expecting to give us about £10,000 which is a phenomenal amount from one donation.
"Last year we helped about 70 families in Telford, as we do work in the community as well as within the hospice in Oswestry."
Last year the appeal raised £41,000, a record amount which brought their total over the previous 20 years to £250,000.
Mr Seaward said that was a total they hoped to beat this year and were on track to do so.
This year the Rotary clubs have been trying to spread the word about the tree even further, even going into local schools to speak to children about the importance of remembrance.
But he said they are always amazed with the generosity of people who take part.
He said: "Their generosity increases every year."
