Christmas Trees Appeal to Help Homeless December 15, 2007

As innovative fundraising schemes go, Scottish charity Bethany Christian Trust must be at the top of their tree. To help raise funds needed to run Bethany’s life-saving Care Shelter service for homeless people, Musselburgh is hosting a distribution site selling Christmas trees for charity.

The Christmas trees scheme known as "Caring Christmas Trees" works through pre-ordering, with customers selecting their preferred tree size, collection point and date for collection.

The cost of a Christmas tree is around the same cost of giving someone shelter, food and support at the Care Shelter.
Fundraising and Marketing Manager Catherine Rawlinson-Watkins explains:
"Bethany runs life-line services providing for the most basic of human needs; shelter, warmth, food and a listening ear, but the problem is raising enough funds. The Christmas trees scheme makes so much sense. If people are going to buy a Christmas tree, they may as well buy one that will help someone out this winter.
The trees are top quality and needle-last and everyone enjoys coming along and choosing the right tree for them. It’s a really festive and fun way to show you care at Christmas."

The proceeds from Caring Christmas Tree sales in Musselburgh will help fund Bethany’s life-saving Care Shelter service providing around 750 rough sleepers with overnight accommodation, hot meals and advice every night for 5 months over the winter.

The Trust estimates the total cost of funding the Care Shelter is around £100,000, so targets for tree sales are high; at least 4000 in Edinburgh.

Three ways Musselburgh residents can support the Caring Christmas Trees project this year:
• Buy a Caring Christmas Tree online at www.caringchristmastrees.com
or call 0845 111 8733. You choose the size of tree, date and pick up point which suits you. (Musselburgh collection point is St Peter’s Church, High Street)
• Volunteer to help promote and distribute trees. (See website for more details).
• Tell friends and family about the project to ensure Caring Christmas Trees touch the lives of as many homeless people as possible this year.

Deadline for ordering your Caring Christmas Tree is 12th December.

Official Website: http://www.caringchristmastrees.com