Our Christmas tree for Kenya shines like the beacon of hope that is our Happy House in the annual Christmas Tree Festival at St Andrew's Church, Cleveleys, Lancashire.When the Happy House was invited to take par, our UK coordinator Elizabeth Gomm put out a Facebook request to see if anyone could come up with a way of creating a tree synonymous with Kenya - the baobab tree.
Teresa Smith and Zowie Sinclair, the lovely ladies from Sunnyside Crafts, Blackpool,offered to make one specially for the Happy House.
"They have made a really stunning tree, decorated with hands and hearts featuring pictures of our children. These symbolise the spirit of our amazing family which, thanks to Mama Sue, has united so many hands and hearts to give hope to vulnerable children," said Elizabeth."Our tree will certainly get us noticed and we are really grateful for all the work they have put in."
At Sunnyside, a Community Interest Company, Zowie and Teresa specialise in running arts and craft classes for all ages, Their aim is to encourage more people of all ages to enjoy either a new craft activity or hobby.
They also offer Diversional Therapy and Team Building workshops to organisations, the elderly, people with long term illnesses and carers.
Beth Evans helped Zowie to make the tree from cardboard, paper and branches and to put it up in the church yesterday, where there are two dozen trees representing the work of community organisations.
There is free admission to the Christmas Tree Festival, at St Andrew's, Roughlea Road, Cleveleys, which is open tomorrow and Friday from 1pm-4pm, on Saturday from 10am-4pm; and on Monday and Tuesday next week from 1pm-4pm.
On Sunday at 7pm there is a concert featuring music and readings at 7pm. Admission £5.
There will be a presentation of the people's choice of tree at 4pm on Tuesday.
Please pop along and take a look.
* Top picture: Beth Evans and Zowie (right), and below with the Rev Jayne Ward, vicar of St Andrew's.
* If anyone with a business, hotel etc on the Fylde Coast would like to display our tree, and raise awareness of our work, from Wednesday onwards please contact Elizabeth on 07905 130 589.
