Rotary Telford Tree of Light Distributes £42,000 to Local Charities
The Rotary Telford Tree of Light held its presentation evening, hosted by Rotary Club of Wrekin President David Shelmerdine at the Hadley Park House Hotel on Thursday 27th February. This year the Rotary Telford Tree of Light, which is run by the Rotary Clubs of Ironbridge, Telford Centre, The Wrekin and Wellington celebrated its 24th campaign.
Chair of the Telford Tree of Light organising committee, Rotarian Max Clowes, said, “We are delighted to announce that this evening the Telford Tree of Light will distribute £42,000 to local charities. Once again the Tree has raised a huge amount for charity. The whole operation can only function with the voluntary efforts of Rotarians from each of the four clubs. The full cost of the appeal is met by the business community, other organisations and the Rotary Clubs themselves. This means that the entire amount donated by the public is distributed to the good causes.”
Max thanked those people and organisations that sponsor and support The Telford Tree of Light. This year the display stand at the Shopping Centre had come to the end of its useful life. The committee approached a number of organisations suggesting they might like to become Benefactors. The response was outstanding and enabled us to pay outright £5500 for the new display.
The names of those remembered are displayed around the Tree of Light in Telford Shopping Centre, in Wellington Dawley, Madeley, Ironbridge and Oakengates. The names are also published in the Telford Journal and on the Tree of Light website.
Since 2001 the Severn Hospice has received half of the funds donated with the remainder donated to charities that serve the people of Telford. Representatives of the charities nominated by the four Rotary Clubs received their donations and thanked the Tree of Light for their support. President Ruth Evans of the Ironbridge Club gave a cheque for £2625 to the Perry Riding for the Disabled Cavalier Centre; President Nick Burn of the Rotary Club of Telford Centre presented a cheque for £5250 to Rachel Lewis of Hope House: President David Shelmerdine of the Rotary Club of The Wrekin gave a donation of £2625 to Alan Olver of ManinPlace and £2625 to Kelda Wood of Climbing Out: Rotary Wellington President Vic Young together with President Ruth Evans of Ironbridge Rotary presented £7875 to Telford Samaritans. Finally Chairman of the Tree of Light Committee, Max Clowes, presented £21,000 to Norma Ross of Severn Hospice.
In conclusion Max said, “The success of the Rotary Telford Tree of Light has only been made possible thanks to the wonderful generosity of the people of Telford who donate to The Tree of Light to remember their loved ones at Christmas time. The very successful 2019 campaign is now over. Our team is already busy preparing for 2020, a very special year, the 25th year of the Rotary Telford Tree of Light.”
Thanks from Rachel at Hope House
Happy New Year! I hope you had a lovely Christmas.
I just wanted to send a quick email to say a huge thank you to you and
all the amazing Rotary volunteers who have worked so incredibly hard at
the Tree of Light.
It really does mean the world to us to see so many people in Telford
supporting their local children’s hospice through the Tree and we are so
grateful to all of you for making it possible.
I know Luke really appreciated meeting you all too and he was so
grateful that the Tree also helped bring further publicity to his
campaign to raise funds and awareness for the hospice, so thank you so
much for meeting him.
Best wishes, Rachel
Benefactor – Redrow Homes
A
certificate of appreciation has been presented to Redrow Homes. Redrow
are building in Priorslee and other areas of Telford with their house
building programme expected to last for the next three years. Redrow
are renowned for their scheme of involvement in the communities where
they build.
Anna Evans-Kerr Head of Sales for Redrow Homes Midlands, said: “It’s
brilliant to be supporting a charity doing such important work at this
special time of year. We are very proud to be a benefactor and help to
ensure the continued success of this wonderful initiative. “Here at
Redrow Midlands, our ethos is based on the creation of thriving
communities, and what better way to build relationships with our new
neighbours than by supporting this wonderful charity which raises vital
funds for organisations and people across Shropshire.”
David Lovatt from the Telford Tree of Light committee said: “We are
thrilled to be supported by Redrow Homes Midlands this year. Without the
generous donations of local organisations, we wouldn’t be able to
provide those in the community with this special way to remember loved
ones during the Christmas holidays and spread cheer through the
charities which benefit from the donations.”
The 2019 Campaign is nearly over
The last names have been added to the display around the tree this Christmas Eve morning. Our wonderful supporters have filled our new display which we didn’t think possible when we started the campaign. We expect to distribute to our charities Severn Hospice, Hope House, Samaritans, Climbing Out , Man in Place, Cavalier Centre the same total sum as last year in February when our gift aid claim is settled. The Tree of Light committee led by Rotarian Max Clowes and indeed all the members of Ironbridge, Telford Centre, The Wrekin and Wellington Rotary Clubs, thank you all for your support and wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Buckatree Hall Hotel – Benefactor of the Tree of Light
The Buckatree Hall Hotel, which is where the Rotary Club of Wellington meets every Friday, is one of the benefactors of the Rotary Telford Tree of Light. Chair of the Trustees of the Telford Tree of Light, Peter Seaward, said. “I want to record my thanks for the generous contribution made by The Buckatree Hall Hotel. Our work would not be possible without the corporate benefactors who’s financial support ensures that every penny donated to remember a name around the tree goes to our local charities.” Please follow this link to find out more about the Buckatree Hall Hotel.
District Governor 1210 Brian Visits the Tree of Light
Rotary
District 1210 Governor Brian Reilly was at the Tree of Light this week.
He is shown helping out at the Tree complete with Festive Hat!
Rotarians are on hand around the Tree until Christmas to give out and
receive application forms, to give information about the Tree and to
answer queries.
Its not too late for names of loved ones to be remembered. Names submitted by December 16th will be guaranteed to appear around the Tree before Christmas.
Hope House Ambassador Luke Millington at the Tree
With Christmas only three weeks away the Rotary Telford Tree of Light already remembers and commemorates almost 5,000 loved ones whose names appear around the Tree in New Row at the Telford Shopping Centre. New updated lists are placed around the Tree each week.
The Tree received a special visitor on Thursday 30 November. Hope House Ambassador Luke Millington along with Rachel Lewis of Hope House met with President Nick Burn of the Rotary Club of Telford Centre and Rotarians from the Ironbridge Club who were attending the Tree. Rachel said, “Hope House are honoured to be a recipient of this year’s Telford Tree of Light donations. Hope House care for seriously ill children and their families, and families who have suffered the sudden death of a child in the Telford & Wrekin area. We are so grateful to the community for supporting the Tree of Light and for helping making a difference in the local area”.
The Tree of Light gives members of our community the opportunity to commemorate the names of their loved ones at Christmas. Additionally applicants are requested to donate a minimum of £5 per name to local charities. President Nick Burn thanked our corporate sponsors whose names are also displayed at the Tree. He said, “The Rotary Telford Tree of Light receives exceptional help and support from its corporate sponsors. Their support enables us to pass on to the nominated charities all the contributions received from the public.”
So far this year the Tree of Light has raised more than £30,000 for our nominated charities. Severn Hospice will be supported with half of the amount donated by the public. The remaining half will go to Telford Samaritans, Hope House, The Cavalier Centre, Maninplace and Climbing Out. More details about these charities can be found on the Tree of Light website.
There is still plenty of time for names of loved ones to be remembered. Names submitted by December 16th will be guaranteed to appear around the Tree before Christmas.
Principal Benefactor – Telford Plaza
One of the Principal Benefactors of the Rotary Telford Tree of Light is Telford Plaza. Mel Podmore the buildings manager accepted a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the owner of Telford Plaza. Mr Podmore said that the certificate would be very much appreciated by the owner and it was sure to take pride of place and he was sure to be delighted by the award. A spokesman for Telford Tree of light said that the Treee of Light organising committee wanted to record their thanks for the generous contribution made by Telford Plaza. Telford Plaza had led the way in supporting this year’s campaign being one of the first Principal Benefactors. See how you can be a sponsor by following this link to the Rotary Telford Tree of Light sponsorship scheme.
The Switch On 2019
On Thursday 14th November at around 16.30 a crowded Mall at Telford Centre filled by the sounds of the Salvation Army Band waited patiently for the Rotary Telford Tree of Light to be switched on. But this year was different. The Tree was at a new site – in New Row in the recently completed Fashion Quarter. It was a New Tree, generously provided by Telford Shopping Centre. There was also a New Display Pod funded by local business sponsors.
Chairman of the Tree of Light organising committee, Max Clowes, welcomed representatives of the charities supported by this year’s Tree, the Tree’s sponsors, the Presidents of the four organising Rotary Clubs and many of those whose families’ names appear around the Tree. Max said, “ Our work would not be possible without the corporate and private sponsors who’s financial support ensures that every penny donated to remember a name around the tree goes to our local charities. I would particularly like to mention Telford Shopping Centre for providing this wonderful new tree and it’s surroundings and Telford Journal for publishing all the names of those to be remembered. The names of all our corporate sponsors are shown on the banners around the tree and can be found on our website.”
Telford Rotarians have been busy for the past two weeks opening and processing dedications sent in by the Telford Community to remember their loved ones at Christmastime.
Max continued “ Around the tree today are over 2400 names from the first 1000 application forms received and we will continue to add names each week right up to Christmas. Batches of names will be printed in the Telford Journal from next week,
This year Severn Hospice will be supported with half of the amount donated by the public. The remaining half will go to charities nominated by each of the four Rotary Clubs -Telford Samaritans, Hope House, The Cavalier centre, Maninplace and Climbing Out. More details about these charities can be found on the Tree of Light website.
The names of those remembered, as well as being around the Tree of Light in Telford Shopping Centre, are displayed at Tranter Lowe in Oakengates, Carol’s Cafe on Wellington Market, Truffles in Ironbridge, Jubilee House in Madeley and at the Dawley Christian Centre.
Max then introduced Norma Ross, Director of Income Generation for the Severn Hospice. Norma said, “ On behalf of Severn Hospice and all the Charities supported by the Rotary Telford Tree of Light I would like to thank everyone involved in this project.” Norma then cut the opening ribbon for this the New Tree of Light and in doing so switched on the Rotary Telford Tree of Light 2019.
Peter Seaward, Chair of the Rotary Clubs of Telford & District Trust Fund, said, “Last year over 2,300 people sponsored over 5000 names so that the charities received nearly £43,000. The total distributed over the 23 years is £628,000 making this Tree of Light the most successful in the country. So far this year we have raised £21,121. Whilst raising funds for charities is very important let us not forget the prime reason for the Tree of Light is to offer the people of Telford, and beyond, a service of remembrance for their loved ones.“
The Tree will remain lit until after Christmas. Rotarians will be on hand around the Tree from now until Christmas to give out and receive application forms, to give information about the Tree and to answer queries.
Where Can You Hand In Your Application Forms
Your completed forms can be handed in to the Customer Service Desk at the Telford Shopping Centre, at any Severn Hospice Shop and at D B Roberts in Market Street, Wellington.
Forms can also be handed in at the Tree of Light itself where members of the local Rotary Clubs will be present from Friday 15th November until Christmas to provide help and advice.
The photograph shows staff at D B Roberts where forms can be both collected and handed in.
2019 Rotary Telford Tree of Light Trolley Tokens
The Rotary Telford Tree of Light has this year produced a Tree of Light Trolley token which is held in a keychain. These cost £2.00 to buy and can be obtained from the New Tree site in Telford Shopping Centre and where the names of those remembered are displayed.
The photograph shows Chair of the Rotary Clubs of Telford Trust Fund, Peter Seaward, delivering Tree of Light application forms and trolley tokens to Carol’s Cafe in Wellington Market where the names of those remembered are displayed.
2019 Rotary Telford Tree of Light Campaign- off to a great start
The first 607 envelopes containing details of those to be remembered on the Tree have been received. Along with these dedications over £9000 has been donated to support this year’s charities.
The Rotary Telford Tree of Light 2019 Switch-On by Severn Hospice’s Norma Ross takes place in New Row, Telford Shopping Centre at 4.30pm on Thursday 14th November 2019. Traditional Christmas Carols will be played by the Salvation Army band from 4pm. This year’s switch-on will be full of surprises. A New Tree, generously provided by the Shopping Centre management will be sited in a New Location – New Row. There will also be a New Display, sponsored by local businesses, to hold the lists of loved ones remembered at Christmas.
Rotarian Max Clowes, Chair of the Tree of Light organising committee said, “A New Tree, a New Display and everything at a New Site. The switch-on to launch 24th Tree of Light campaign promises to be an exciting event. I hope you will be there to join us.”
A New Tree In a New Location- Switch-on Details Announced
It is with great pleasure that the Telford Tree of Light Committee can announce that The Town Centre management have generously agreed to provide a new tree which will be installed for the Christmas 2019 campaign. The new Tree will be located in New Row. When the current building work is completed this location will provide a higher ceiling and wider mall which should enhance the overall presentation.
The Tree of Light committee also said farewell to the display that 15 years ago first surrounded the Tree in Dean Square and in later years occupied Dean Street to hold the lists of loved names remembered at Christmas. A new display in keeping with the new tree and location is however being designed and built ready for the switch on.
Switch-0n 2019 The Rotary Clubs of Ironbridge, Telford Centre, The Wrekin and Wellington are pleased to announce that the switch on for 2019 will take place in New Row, Telford Shopping Centre at 4.30pm on Thursday 14th November 2019. The Salvation Army band will play Christmas Carols from 4pm and the Tree will be switched on by Norma Ross of Severn Hospice.
Rotary Telford Tree of Light 2019 Campaign Gets Underway
Rotarians from across Telford have helped prepare for the coming Rotary Telford Tree of Light Campaign. Members packed over 2500 envelopes which are to be posted to the generous people who remembered their loved ones last year.
On Wednesday 23rd October the envelopes containing details of this year’s campaign were franked at Lanyon Bowdlers Solicitors in Telford and delivered to Wellington Royal Mail for posting to supporters of the Telford Tree of Light.
A team of volunteers was in Telford Town on Saturday 26th October to explain how donating to the Tree can help remember loved ones at Christmas while supporting this year’s local charities. Apart from Severn Hospice the 2019 campaign will support Hope House Hospice, Man in Place, Climbing Out, Riding for the Disabled and Telford Samaritans.
On Tuesday 29th October a Tree of Light working party meet for the first time in the 2019 campaign to open returned envelopes and to process names and donations received from our supporters.
The Rotary Telford Tree of Light Campaign, which is run by the Rotary Clubs of Ironbridge, Telford Centre, The Wrekin and Wellington celebrated the success of the 2018 campaign by presenting £42000 to local charities. Chair of the Telford Tree of Light organising committee, Rotarian Max Clowes, said, “The full cost of the appeal is covered by the Rotary Clubs, the business community and other organisations so that the entire amount given by the public is given to the chosen good causes.” The names of those remembered are displayed around the Tree of Light in Telford Shopping Centre, in Wellington Dawley, Madeley, Ironbridge and Oakengates . The names are also published in the Telford Journal and on the Tree of Light website. Peter Seaward, Chair of the Rotary Clubs of Telford & District Trust Fund said, “The success of the Rotary Telford Tree of Light has only been made possible thanks to the wonderful generosity of the people of Telford who donate to The Tree of Light to remember their loved ones at Christmas time.”
A New Tree for 2019 – In a New Location
It is with great pleasure that the Telford Tree Light committee can announce that The Town Centre management have generously agreed to provide a new tree which will be installed for the Christmas 2019 campaign and located in New Row. When the current building work is completed this location will provide a higher ceiling and wider mall which should enhance the overall presentation.
Also it was with great sadness that the Tree of Light committee said farewell to the display that 15 years ago first surrounded the tree in Dean Square and in later years occupied Dean Street to hold the lists of loved names remembered at Christmas. A new display in keeping with the new tree and lcation is however being designed and built ready for the switch on by Norma Ross of the Severn Hopice on14th November 2019 at 4.30pm
Telford Golf Hotel and Resort Backs Telford Tree of Light Campaign
The Telford Hotel and Golf Resort is to be a Benefactor to the Telford Tree of Light campaign for 2019. Adrian Pickard general manager explained that his company were delighted to have been invited to act as a Benefactor to ensure the continued success of the Telford Tree of Light knowing the contribution will cover vital running costs to ensure that 100% of the proceeds raised from the general public will go to local charities.
This years charities are Severn Hospice, Hope House Hospice, Man in Place, Climbing Out, Riding for the Disabled and Telford Samaritans.
TheTelford Tree of Light is run by the Rotary Clubs of Telford Centre, Wellington, Wrekin and Ironbridge and is in its 24th year. It raises about £40,000 each year.
A spokesman fro the Tree of Light committee said ” The Rotary Clubs of Telford are excited about the decision of The Telford Hotel and Golf Resort to become a benefactor. It is excellent news that a large and well known local business has chosen to support us in this way.”
The new scheme for sponsorship is designed to be attractive to private individuals and local businesses large and small within the local community. Details of the scheme can be found in the menu – ‘How to Become a Sponsor’.
Thanks from Lingen-Davies Cancer Fund
Blood Bike News
SPIRIT OF ROTARY IN ACTION – The Blood Bike wholly funded by the four Rotary Clubs of Telford and the Wrekin from money raised through the Tree of Light appeal in 2017 has been in action. The bike named “Spirit of Rotary” has been used by the charity Blood Bike.
The charity provides a vital service to the NHS transporting blood samples and supplies to and from Hospitals across the region Sonia Roberts speaking on behalf of the Rotary Club of Telford Central said about the 12 month’s operational figures “..When you view the figures, you will see just what a wonderful gift you have given our community. Spirit is making such a big difference to folk and, I’ve no doubt, helping to save lives..”
The four Rotary Clubs who came together to fund this very high value item are delighted to see how well used the bike is being used. Readers are encouraged to do some ‘blood bike spotting’ by keeping an eye out when we are on our travels and reporting sightings back to the Facebook accounts of the four Clubs – Wellington, The Wrekin, Ironbridge and Telford Centre.
