Telford Tree of Light cash brings welcome boost for good causes

Despite the coronavirus crisis the Rotary Club organising committee managed to equal the previous total of £42,000 which now been distributed to the deserving organisations.

Severn Hospice received half the proceeds at £21,000; Hope House £10,500; while East Shropshire Talking Newspapers, Telford Action Care Team, Citizens Advice Bureau and The YMCA Holly Project received £ 2,625 each.

Lindsey Kilvert, of the children's hospice trust Hope House, said: "We were truly overwhelmed to receive your donation of £10,500 - it just goes to show how much the local community appreciates all your hard work in ensuring the Tree of Light continues each year even in a pandemic.

"Words cannot come close to expressing how important your incredible support is to us in these unprecedented times as reported in the media, charities are facing an uncertain future as donations plummet and fundraising events are cancelled."

Generosity

Robert Green, of East Shropshire Talking Newspapers, said: "The postman has just delivered your letter containing a most generous cheque donation of £2,625 towards our charity.

"These funds will help us to continue providing our most valuable service for blind and visually impaired people who are less fortunate than ourselves, here in the eastern part of the county."

The committee praised those donors who backed its £25 for 25 appeal to mark the project's silver anniversary and said members' thoughts were with those who may have suffered due to "this horrid Covid, hopefully things will be better soon".

Telford Tree of Light chairman Frank Curry added: "We have a great team of Rotarians and friends to help us but the generosity of the community in remembering their loved ones is overwhelming."

The Telford Tree of Light Trust and committee is made up of members of the four Rotary Clubs in Telford-Ironbridge, Telford Centre, Wellington and The Wrekin. To join email via admin@telfordtreeoflight.org.uk.