This Christmas tree is making a difference to vulnerable people in Scotland—and you can help, too
Help those facing homelessness in Scotland by purchasing a Bethany’s Caring Christmas Tree
Image courtesy of Bethany, taken by Claire Fleck, featuring a Caring Christmas Tree
In the frenzy of buying copious amounts of presents, festive meal-planning, preparing your home for guest, and, of course, everything else you need to do day-to-day, it’s all too easy to forget what Christmas is truly about—sacrifice, giving, and supporting one another. Whether it’s checking in with your elderly neighbours on the run-up or donating food or toys of charity drives, taking a moment to give back will enrich your Christmas experience and make a real difference to someone in need. Which is why we wanted to bring another brilliant charitable initative to your attention.
Scottish homelessness charity, Bethany Christian Trust, is providing a way to help people without a home this winter through purchasing a Caring Christmas Tree. Getting festive at home is one way to brighten up the end of 2020, and many of us will be counting down the days until we can fill our interiors with beautiful lights, festive décor, and the smell of a freshly cut fir tree (if you haven’t already started, that is!). But Christmas this year will be especially hard for those across Scotland facing homelessness, and Bethany Christian Trust is offering one way we can use our celebrations to help those in need this winter.
Image courtesy of Bethany, taken by Claire Fleck, featuring a Caring Christmas Tree
The charity is selling a range of ‘Caring Christmas Trees’ to customers across the Central Belt, with all the proceeds going directly towards their work supporting homeless and vulnerable people across Scotland. Priced from £35 and sized from 4ft right up to a lofty 8ft, each tree is a grade one Nordman fir, freshly cut and sustainably grown in West Lothian. The funding from this social enterprise helps to provide outreach, drop in support, shelter, befriending, new opportunities and professional care to thousands of people during the harsh winter months.
Alasdair Bennett, Chief Executive at Bethany Christian Trust, said: 'Christmas Trees are such a typical feature of a traditional Christmas and are a common sight in most houses across Scotland. This Christmas is going to be different for most of us; imagine how much more challenging it can be for people who are facing homelessness. By purchasing a Caring Christmas Tree you will be opening up your Christmas and giving a lifeline to support families and individuals in need this winter.’
Commenting on this year’s CCT programme, Nathanael Smith, Project Coordinator at Bethany Christian Trust, said: '2020 is the ideal year to buy a Caring Christmas Tree. The sustainably sourced tree will bring some much needed festive cheer into your home, but you can also buy one knowing that the profits will ensure that others can still find warmth, hope and friendship this winter. All our collection sites will be outdoors and organised in line with the latest COVID security regulations, so you can buy one with peace of mind and safe in the knowledge that you’re helping others with your purchase.'
Caring Christmas Trees are available to purchase online Caringchristmastrees.com or by calling 0345 111 8733. The trees will be ready for physically distanced collection at various locations in Edinburgh, East Lothian, Glasgow, and Fife in December, with an option for delivery at the end of November and early December in both Edinburgh and Glasgow.