IT’S BEEN another busy week for The Giving Tree as Wokingham once again continues to show how generous it is.
The festive appeal has been adapted to be Covid-safe while also ensuring that more than 2,500 children across the borough will have a visit from Santa on Christmas Day.
The request this year for gift vouchers for children rather than physical presents.
The charities and their kind volunteers will be very busy using the vouchers to buy the presents which the children have asked for.
They will be distributed by local charities who work closely to ensure that the presents fall into the right stockings on December 25.
To take part, visit a Giving Tree, take the tag, buy the requested voucher and return it to the place you took it from.
One of the main trees is in Tesco’s branch in Finchampstead Road, Wokingham.
The store’s community champion, Louise Jedras, said: “Last Friday, I delivered 42 gift cards that had been returned to Tesco Wokingham in the first week of the Giving Tree.
“Our store is also donating a selection box along with each gift card to pass on to the children.”
And organiser Gill McKernan is also pleased with how the early days of the appeal has gone.
“I am absolutely over the moon with the response from the wonderful, kind and caring local people. Their generosity is overwhelming and so appreciated by all the charities. On their behalf, I would like to say a massive thank you.”
The appeal has received the backing of Wokingham Borough Mayor, Cllr Maclolm Richards.
“We all know that Christmas is a time of joy and of giving, and I am delighted that there will be a Giving Tree 2020 at Tesco Wokingham this year, though trees will also be positioned at other locations as well,” he said.
“The Giving Tree gives an opportunity for shoppers and residents to pick a gift tag off a tree, to obtain the gift voucher requested and return it to the store.
“The gift vouchers will then be distributed to local charities for them to buy a present, so that no local children need go without a gift over Christmas. It certainly helps to spread joy and happiness, particularly at the current time, with the limitations of travelling or spending time with family and loved ones.”