Telford Tree of Light 2015

Rotary engaging with the community

Telford and District Tree of Light held its presentation evening, hosted by Rotary Club of The Wrekin President Jacqui Wordsworth at the Hadley Park House Hotel. This year the Telford Tree of Light, which is run by the Rotary Clubs of Ironbridge, Telford Centre, Wellington and The Wrekin, is celebrating its 20th Anniversary.

Chair of the organising committee, Rotarian Peter Seaward, said, “We are delighted to announce that this year the Telford Tree of Light will distribute £41,000 to local charities. This sum brings the total amount presented to 44 different charities over the twenty years to over £500,000. This is 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 names of those remembered are displayed around the Tree of Light in Telford Shopping Centre, in Wellington Market, at the offices of Tranter Lowe in Dawley and Oakengates and at Truffles Cafe in Ironbridge. 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 being distributed amongst charities that serve the people of Telford. These are chosen by each of the four Rotary 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.

At the presentation evening on 11th February the success of 20years of the Telford Tree of Light was celebrated by the award of certificates of appreciation to organisations which have sponsored the Telford Tree of Light over many years – Telford Shopping Centre, Telford Journal, Single Source, Telford Reprographics, The Wellington Market Company and Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors.

Apart from District Governor Richard Green and members of his team, two of whom were involved in the early stages of the campaign, honoured guests included Sir Algernon Heber Percy KCVO, Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire and President of Severn Hospice. Sir Algernon received a cheque on behalf of the Hospice for £20,500 from the Telford Tree of Light Committee Chair Peter Seaward.

The Presidents of the four Rotary Clubs presented cheques of £5,125 to their chosen charities. President Max Clowes of the Ironbridge Club to Transhouse which helps rehabilitation of those with spinal injuries; President Frank Curry of the Rotary Club of Telford Centre to the Telford & District branch of the MS Society; President Peter Seaward of the Rotary Club of Wellington to 2nd Wellington Scouts, for the upkeep of their Headquarters and the camp site on the Wrekin and President Jacqui Wordsworth to the Princes Royal Hospital coronary care unit.

Photographs from the left:  Rotary Club of Telford Centre President Frank Curry presents a cheque for £5,125 to Kate Pountney and Sue Cottell of Telford & District Branch of the MS Society; President Peter Seaward of Rotary Club of Wellington presents a cheque for £5,125 to Alison Peel of 2nd Wellington Scout Group; President Jacqui Wordsworth of the Rotary Club of the Wrekin presents a cheque for £5,125 to Ann Redstone and Lesley Drayton of PRH Coronary Care Unit.

Photographs from the left:  Chair of the Telford Tree of Light organising committee, Rotarian Peter Seaward, with Sir Algernon Heber Percy KCVO, Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire and President of Severn Hospice. Sir Algernon received a cheque on behalf of the Hospice for £20,500;  President Max Clowes of the Rotary Club of Ironbridge with Transhouse President, Professor Wagghi el Masrin manager Fae Dromgool and administrator Margaret Kynaston;  President Peter is shown with the District Governor’s Award for Special Achievement which was presented to the four Telford Clubs in recognition of 20 successful years of the Tree of Light with over £500,000 being raised for local charities.

Chair of the Trustees of the Rotary Clubs of Telford & Wrekin Trust Fund, Rotarian Paul Booth, under whose auspices the Tree of Light operates said, “ To achieve the magnificent sum of £500,000 is real testament to the hard work and commitment demonstrated over 20 years by Rotarians engaging with the community for the benefit of the community. Very well done to all concerned.” More information about the Telford Tree of Light can be obtained by contacting Committee Chair, Rotarian Peter Seaward, at pres15@wellingtonrotary.org.uk.

Launching the 2015 Campaign

The Telford and District Tree of Light, which is run by the Rotary Clubs of Ironbridge, Telford Centre, Wellington and The Wrekin, is celebrating its 20th Anniversary with its 2015 campaign.  There is also the distinct possibility that this year the ‘Tree’ will reach the magic figure of £500,000 raised for charities over the past 20 years.

The Tree of Light provides the opportunity for individuals and families to commemorate the name or names of loved ones at Christmas time. Names are displayed on lists around the Tree of Light in Telford Shopping Centre; at Wellington Market and in the windows of Tranter Lowe’s offices in Oakengates and Dawley, and inside Truffles Café in Ironbridge. Names are also displayed on the Tree of Light website and in the Telford Journal.

In recent years the Severn Hospice has received half of the funds donated, with the remainder being distributed amongst charities which serve people in the Telford area. These are chosen by each of the four Telford Rotary Clubs. . 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 distributed to the good causes.

Please follow this link to the Telford Tree of Light web site.

Tree of Light Switched On

The 2015 Telford Tree of Light was switched on by Telford Tiger’s coach, Tom Watkins on Thursday 12th November while the Salvation Army Band played Christmas Carols around the Tree.  Chairman of the Tree of Light, Peter Seaward, welcomed everyone to the ‘Switch On’ and thanked the people of Telford for supporting the Tree over the past 20 years.  He added his thanks to the sponsors of the Tree and to the four Rotary Clubs of Telford who work hard to ensure the Tree’s success.  He then introduced Tom Watkins who, supported by members of his team, Switched On the 2015 Tree of Light.

Preparations for the 2015 Campaign

On Friday 2nd October members of the Rotary Club of Wellington, together with DG Nominee Carol and District Secretary Brian, began the 2015 Campaign by packing envelopes with details of this year’s Telford Tree of Light.  These will be posted to all previous contributors prior to the ‘Switch On’ which takes place at Telford Town Centre on 12th November.

Celebration of 20 years of the Telford Tree of Light – 5th November 2015

Tree of Light Trustees, organising committee members and sponsors shared a 20th Birthday cake with Hospice staff at the Severn Hospice in Wellington.  Severn Hospice Chief Executive Paul Cronin thanked the Telford Tree of Light for its support over the past twenty years and hoped it would continue to thrive.  He presented the Tree of Light Committee Chairman Peter Seaward with a celebratory birthday cake in the shape of a tree.  In response Peter Seaward expessed his thanks and said how grateful he was for the warm welcome from the Hospice staff and he looked forward to presenting them with the cheque at the end of this year’s campaign. He added that it is hoped that the generosity of the people of Telford will enable the Tree of Light appeal to reach a total of £500,000 which will have been distributed to local charities over the past 20 years. The photograph shows Paul Cronin, John Rice and Peter Seaward.

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