Norwich church’s first tree festival boosts 30 charities

A first-ever Christmas tree festival at St George's church in Norwich has raised funds for over 30 local charities and helped bring to an end a year of celebrations to mark the church's 50^th anniversary.

The festival featured trees imaginatively decorated by over 30 charities and community clubs all with a local connection, each raising funds for the good cause

The magnificent 16ft by 10ft Livability Knitted Christmas Tree, took pride of place near the altar, Let the Children Live had a tree decorated with disposable items of rubbish as the street children it helps in Colombia are called "the disposables" and there was also a tree where people could make a pledge and tie it to a branch.

Other trees represented CAFOD, Foodbank, Mary's Meals, Hope into Action, Emmaus, St Vincent de Paul Society, Franciscans, Age UK, Leeway, 17^th Norwich Scouts (who meet in the church hall) and Coming Home among many others.

"Festival co-ordinator, Tessa Brewster, said: We thought it would be a great idea to use our church to raise money for lots of local charities and groups. When they came to decorate their trees it was a really friendly atmosphere and we made lots of new friends."

"After a wonderful year of events at St George’s, it was a fitting finale to our anniversary year," said St George’s events committee member, Mark Pointer. "The church looked magnificent and what a better way to get into the mood for Christmas

Several hundred people visited the festival over the three days of December 10 to 12.

Pictured above is organiser Tessa Brewster with the 16ft Liveability knitted Christmas tree in St George's. See below for a full picture gallery.

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