TAVISTOCK Town Hall will be a mass of sparkling white lights when the ‘Trees of Light’ are switched on by the president of the Lions Club of Tavistock, Tony Welsh, on Friday, November 29 at 7pm.

Bulbs on the three Christmas trees have been sponsored by an individual or family in celebration of a memory of a loved one, a special occasion or a happy event. All proceeds will go to local charities which this year will be the Chestnut Appeal, the Primrose Foundation and Derriford Children’s Cancer Service.

The event, which is now in its 21st year, started with a single tree in 1999 and has since raised more than £107,000 for local charities. And for the 16th year running, the event’s main sponsor is funeral director Morris Bros (Tavistock) Ltd.

Lion John Noblet said that he was pleased with the continued support from Morris Bros, the Tavistock Times Gazette for publishing the sponsorship form, the South West Lakes Trust for donating this year’s trees and to Tavistock Town Council staff for erecting and decorating the trees.

Ten years ago, the Lions established a charitable trust which enables the club to reclaim the tax on any donation made by a UK taxpayer. A total of around £9,000 was raised last year from the Trees of Light and the sale of Christmas cards, and a rebate of £900 from HMRC enabled the club to give £3,300 to each of last year’s charities.

If anyone would like to become a sponsor, they can obtain a sponsorship form by calling Mr Noblet on 01822 616481 or by email at [email protected]

Alternatively, complete the adjacent form or download one from the club’s website at www.tavistocklions.org.uk

To ensure that the club is able to reclaim the tax, it is important that the UK taxpayer completes the form and also writes the cheque.

Donations can also be made online through JustGiving www.justgiving.com and searching for ‘Trees of Light run by the Lions Club of Tavistock’ with UK taxpayers ensuring that the gift aid box is ticked.

A full list of donors will be published in the Tavistock Times Gazette over the Christmas period with each one receiving a commemorative card in the New Year.

• The switching on of the Trees of Light will be followed by a short interdenominational service led by the local clergy. During the evening the Lions will be serving hot drinks and mince pies.