Bishop Vesey’s Giving Tree appeal is being promoted by a video urging local people to back their collection and help spread a little extra cheer to those in need.
Each of the tags that decorate the school’s ‘Giving Tree’ in the Gracechurch Centre bear a festive message asking shoppers to buy an item that is needed by a local charity.
Items can vary from clothing for the homeless to festive treats for struggling families. Gifts can then be placed back in the baskets by the tree, where Bishop Vesey’s students will collect and wrap them before delivering the parcels to local charities in time for Christmas.
Last year Vesey’s young volunteers collected, wrapped, and gifted more than 1300 presents. This year they hope to repeat the success.
The good causes being supported this Christmas are homeless charity St Basil’s, Birmingham City Mission, the Salvation Army and the Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce’s chosen charity – the Sutton Coldfield YMCA.
The tree for Bishop Vesey’s Giving Tree was donated by William Wheat and Son.
Now, in a final push to collect more items, a new video has been made by Boldmere’s Ark Media, explaining the idea behind the tree and urging shoppers to get involved.
The tree is being manned from 2.30-5.00pm every weekday and from 10am-3.00pm every Saturday and Sunday. The last day for collections will be Sunday December 20.
Headteacher Dominic Robson said; “Bishop Vesey’s Giving Tree is becoming something of an annual tradition for our school and we hope that shoppers and residents will be as generous as they were last Christmas.
“We are very proud of all the students who have volunteered to get involved in the scheme, which hopes to spread a little Christmas cheer at the end of a challenging year.”