Light up a life this Christmas
Published 15 Nov 2011 09:30
THE Woodley and Earley Chronicle is proud to be backing an appeal that will light up the town for the third year running.
The Woodley and Earley Lions Tree of Light appeal asks people to sponsor a light on a Christmas tree in memory of a loved one, absent friends and family members ahead of the grand festive switch-on in Woodley precinct.
For a minimum donation of £5, the names of those to be remembered will be displayed with their sponsors alongside the tree, which has been donated by the Woodley Town Centre Management Initiative.
Town centre manager Jacques Lherbier said: "This appeal is a wonderful addition to the other Christmas lights switch on and it always proves incredibly popular.
"It is such a good idea and is is a really nice way for people to remember loved ones at this time of year - we are so pleased to be supporting it once again."
All of the cash raised from the appeal will be put towards helping a host of charities, community groups and organisations across the area and this year, a number of groups received a share of the Lion's generosity, including The Red Cross, which received a cash boost to help buy a new £57,000 ambulance for Reading.
The Lions also helped Fiona Devine, who set up the Alexander Devine hospice after her son died aged eight from a rare brain tumour five years ago. She said: "I am so grateful to the Lions.
"My son was a very charitable child and so this donation proved very fitting."
Lions spokeswoman Alison Keen said: "We are hoping to make this another successful year, for local people to have the opportunity to remember their loved ones at Christmas and also to raise money for good causes in the area."
The tree will be illuminated on Saturday, December 3, by Woodley Mayor, Cllr Coling Lawley, just before the switch is flicked to light up the precinct's main Christmas light display.
Lights can be sponsored up until Tuesday, December 20. For sponsor forms, visit http://www.lionsofwoodleyandearley.org.uk/fundraisingactivities/treeoflight.html
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 25 Nov 11
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