Telford Tree of Light set to sparkle for lives of lost love ones as almost £10,000 raised in first week
Almost £10,000 has been raised in a very successful first week of the Telford Tree of Light campaign.
About 2,500 envelopes were sent out at the end of last month, giving details of this year's appeal, and almost 650 applications have already been made.
The Rotary Telford Tree of Light 2017 is now well underway, with the tree itself to be switched on in Telford Shopping Centre next week.
This year's appeal will support the Severn Hospice as always, but money will also go to Shropshire, Staffordshire & Cheshire Blood Bikes, Wellington Cottage Care, Shropshire Disability Network and Dementia UK Admiral Nurses Telford & Wrekin.
On October 25, nearly 2,500 envelopes containing details of this year’s campaign were franked at Lanyon Bowdlers and delivered to supporters of the Telford Tree of Light.
Further envelopes with details and forms have been taken to Telford Shopping Centre and to other places throughout the Telford where they can be picked up by anyone wishing to remember a loved one, especially during Christmas.
The Tree of Light gives people the opportunity to commemorate the names of their loved ones.
These names are then displayed around a tree in the Telford Shopping Centre and in other locations around the borough.
They are also printed in the local paper, the Telford Journal, and on the Tree of Light website. Over 5,000 names are now regularly remembered each year.
In addition to the opportunity to commemorate the names of loved ones, applicants are requested to donate a minimum of £5 per name to local charities.
Fifty percent of the funds raised are given to the Severn Hospice with the remaining fifty percent shared between local charities nominated annually by each of the four Rotary clubs.
On October 31, a Tree of Light working party, known colloquially as the ‘Blue Peter Group’ met for the first time in this campaign to open returned envelopes and to process names and donations received from our supporters.
Chair of the Telford Tree of Light organising committee, Rotarian Max Clowes. said, “The first response has been amazing.
"We are indebted to all our supporters who so dearly wish to commemorate their loved ones at Christmas time.”
Application forms are also now available at Telford Shopping Centre Customer Services, Severn Hospice shops, Wellington Civic Centre, Dawley Christian Centre, Jubilee House Madeley, Truffles in Ironbridge, Oakengates Leisure Centre and many other venues.
On Monday, a banner was produced at Telford Reprographics - one of the Telford Tree of Light Sponsors, these will be displayed around the tree, and at some of the above centres.
Peter Llewellyn of Telford Reprographics said: "It is a privilege to be involved with such successful community project.
At the end of a very successful first week, over 650 applications were received with £9,672 donated to this year’s charities.
This year the Telford Tree of Light will be switched on at the Telford Shopping Centre on November 16 at 4.30pm.
The switch-on will be performed by Dicky Dodd, the Signal 107 Radio presenter.
Over the past 21 years, nearly £550,000 has been raised with over £250,000 donated to the hospice and the remainder shared between 50 local charities.
Last year alone, the appeal raised £40,000.
