TAVISTOCK Town Hall will be a mass of sparkling white lights when the Trees of Light are switched on by Lions Club of Tavistock president Jan Meakin on Friday, November 30 at 7pm.

Each year, bulbs on the three Christmas trees are sponsored by individuals or groups in memory of a loved one or a good cause.

All proceeds will go to local charities which this year will be the Chestnut Appeal, the Primrose Foundation and Parkinsons UK.

The event, now in its 20th year, started with a single tree in 1999 and has since raised nearly £100,000 for local charities. And for the 15th year running, the event’s main sponsor is funeral director Morris Bros (Tavistock) Ltd.

Lion John Noblet, the main organiser of the event, said the club was grateful for the ongoing support of Morris Bros, to the Tavistock Times for publishing the sponsorship form, the South West Lakes Trust for donating this year’s trees and Tavistock Town Council staff for erecting and decorating the trees.

Nine 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 £6,000 was donated last year and a rebate of £900 from HMRC enabled the club to give £2,300 to each of last year’s charities.

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

Alternatively, you can 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 just after Christmas 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.

This year the Lions’ club has introduced Christmas cards for sale to help raise additional funds for the Trees of Light charities. The cards feature a picture by local artist Ian Pethers of the three trees mounted on a snow-covered town hall.