NSPCC's Festival of Trees brings extra Christmas sparkle to Theatre Royal Plymouth
The NSPCC’s annual Festival of Trees event in the city is proving quite a Christmas showstopper at the Theatre Royal Plymouth this December.
Visitors and passers-by have been treated to a display of 25 individually decorated Christmas trees and 40 garlands, by local businesses, schools and individuals who have generously sponsored them to help keep local children safe.
It’s the 23rd year that the theatre has hosted the NSPCC fundraising event, which since it started in 1997 has raised more than £200,000.
For the last few weeks his year’s sponsors have been vying to take home the title of ‘best decorated tree 2019’ as they all put the finishing touches to their individually themed trees.
The difficult decision was made by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Councillor Richard Ball and Mrs Dianne Ball, who awarded the title to Princess Yachts. Its tree had been adorned in decorations hand-made by its year 1 to 4 apprentices.
The runner-up prize went to the tree sponsored by Devonport Playhouse, and decorated in the theme of The Sound of Music – its spring production.
King’s School and Nursey, and the NSPCC’s Youth Participation Group were both awarded commended certificates, while NSPCC volunteers Dan Downs and photographer Nic Randall were presented with Merit Awards from the children’s charity for their long-standing and ongoing support to its Festival of Trees event.
Community Fundraising Manager for Plymouth, Alison Armer, said: “This is a real highlight in our fundraising calendar, and it’s with thanks to the time and support of the tree sponsors, dedicated volunteers, and Theatre Royal Plymouth who make it possible. In doing so, they are all helping the NSPCC to protect children from abuse.
“All of the trees and garlands look spectacular and we’d encourage theatre-goers and passers-by to take a look – everyone has their favourite!”
The theatre will be supporting the charity’s ‘Light for Every Childhood’ Christmas campaign by lighting up in the charity’s trademark green on Wednesday 11 December, which marks ‘Get Your Sparkle On’ day.
It joins other landmarks across the UK and Channel Islands lighting up green in support of the campaign, which raises awareness of the most common form of child abuse – neglect.
In 2018/19, Devon and Cornwall Police recorded more than 600 cases of child cruelty or neglect.
Alison added: “There will be many more cases of child cruelty and neglect that go unreported, and we want to make sure we can be there for every child.
“To do this we need the public’s support for our ‘Light for Every Childhood Appeal’, and we are thrilled that the Theatre Royal Plymouth will be glowing green on Wednesday as a mark of its support.
“It’s a campaign everyone can get involved in - our team in Plymouth will be holding a ‘Get Your Sparkle On’ event next week and we’d love to see people across the city getting involved in their own fundraisers, whether it’s baking sparkly treats, wearing a shiny jumper, or hosting a sparkle-themed party with friends, family, or work colleagues.”
The donations help fund the charity’s services protecting children which include Childline and the ‘Speak out Stay safe’ programme we offer free of charge to all primary schools.
A £3 donation is enough to fund the charity’s School Service to reach another child and help keep them safe from abuse and neglect.
In the last academic year 24 primary schools in the city hosted Speak Out Stay Safe assemblies, which taught more than 5,750 children about the different kinds of abuse and identify trusted adults they can speak to if they have a worry or a concern.
The children’s charity is also heavily involved in the Together for Childhood partnership programme that aims to prevent child sexual abuse in the city. It offers direct services from its Plymouth service centre including Letting the Future In, which helps children who have been sexually abused to rebuild their lives, and a preventative programme called Turn the Page that works with children and young people who display harmful sexual behaviour.
To learn more about how you can fundraise for the NSPCC or ‘Get Your Sparkle On’ this Christmas visit www.nspcc.org.uk/sparkleon or get in touch with Alison Armer on 07779341767 or Alison.Armer@NSPCC.org.uk
