Once again, the front of Tavistock Town Hall will be a mass of sparkling white lights when at 7pm on Thursday November 24, the day before Dickensian Evening, Carole Gawn, the president of the Lions Club of Tavistock switches on the 'Trees of Light'.

Bulbs on the three Christmas trees will have been sponsored by an individual or family in memory of a loved one or a good cause with all the proceeds going to local charities which this year will be Children's Hospice South West, St Luke's Hospice and the Mustard Tree Macmillan Centre based at Derriford Hospital. The switching on will be followed by a short inter-denominational service led by the local clergy.

This will be the 13th year that the Lions Club has organised the trees and to date almost £50,000 has been raised. For the eighth year, locally based funeral directors Morris Bros. (Tavistock) Ltd. will be the main sponsor and the directors of the family owned company said that they are delighted to be supporting the project once again as it ensured that all the money donated was given to the nominated charities.

Lion Roger Lethbridge, the main organiser within the club, said he was very pleased with the continued support from Morris Bros, the Times for publishing the application form and Tavistock Town Council and staff for their assistance in erecting the trees. Their continued support has helped the club raise a tremendous amount of money and he is confident that this year will be even more successful than previous years.

Two years ago, the Lions established a charitable trust which enabled the club to reclaim the tax on any donation made by a UK tax payer. A total of £6,375 was donated last year and a rebate of £1,080 was repaid by HM Revenue and Customs which enabled the club to give £2,485 to each of last year's charities.

Roger has already written to those people who participated in 2010, asking if they wish to do the same this year and if anyone else wishes to sponsor a light on the trees, they can obtain a sponsorship form by contacting Roger on 01822 613794 or by completing the adjacent form. To ensure that the club is able to reclaim back the tax, it is important that the UK tax payer completes the form and writes the cheque.

A full list of donors will be published in the Times just before Christmas with each one receiving a commemorative card in the New Year.