IT MUST be nearly Christmas.
The Giving Tree scheme has now been launched, and special trees are going up in and around Wokingham.
At Wokingham Library, accompanied by library staff, and representatives of the charities and businesses taking part in the Christmas gift giving scheme this year, Gill Mckernan launched this year’s gift giving scheme.
It’s an annual project that enables generous borough residents to put a smile on children’s faces at Christmas.
Also at the launch were special guests Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Carol Jewell, Deputy Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Rob Comber, and Wokingham Town Mayor Cllr Louise Timlin.
The Giving Tree scheme, organised by Gill Mckernan, has been running successfully for many years.
It enables Wokingham shoppers to buy a gift or a voucher for a child who might otherwise receive nothing at Christmas, and it’s simple to take part:
Shoppers choose a gift tag from a Giving Tree, bearing a Christmas request.
They buy what is requested, and return the gift to the same tree, unwrapped.
From there it is collected and distributed to children in need by participating charities, to be opened by an excited child or teenager on Christmas Day.
“It’s already beginning to feel really Christmassy since the launch,” said Gill, “and it was so lovely to see all the businesses, charities and dignitaries there.
“The scheme is beginning to attract a small community, and everyone works together to make it such a success.
“It helps to make sure that no child needs to feel left out, and at the end of every year charities tell me how important this is, and what a difference the Giving Tree scheme makes to the children – that’s what keeps me going.”
Taking part this year are charities:
Transform Housing
Home Start
Dingley’s Promise
Kaleidoscopic
Berkshire Women’s Aid
Berkshire Vision
Barnardo’s
The Cow Shed
First Days
The Link Foundation
Reading Family Aid
Businesses supporting the scheme are:
PriceWaterHouseCoopers – Reading
BDO – Reading
Guardian Financial Services – Reading
Airlife – Basingstoke
Ariat – Oxfordshire
Group 1 Farnborough MINI
Simply Digital Group – Reading
TMC Pharma Services – Hartley Wintney
Infor Limited – Farnborough
And venues where residents can find a Giving Tree are:
Tesco Wokingham ( tags with requests for gift cards only)
Tesco – Warfield
Tesco – Martins Heron
Wokingham Library
Newbury Building Society – Wokingham
Wokingham Borough Council Offices
Nirvana Spa – Winnersh
Gill thanks First Days Children’s Charity for providing this year’s gift collection point, PWC for printing tags and posters, and Wokingham Library for hosting the launch and for its beautifully decorated tree.
