Thanks to this year’s fundraising total of £23,000, Bedford’s annual Christmas Tree Festival has now raised a quarter of a million pounds for two local charities over the last 25 years.
Each year, the festival in St Paul’s Church raises money for Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends and the church, with funds divided equally between the two good causes.
Money raised for St Paul’s goes towards its work of keeping the church open for worship and welcome and for its support of the vulnerable in Bedford.
The Hospital Charity’s money will contribute towards refurbishing two dedicated cancer care rooms on the children’s Riverbank Ward, enabling patients to receive specialist treatment locally without needing to travel afar.
This year’s total of £23,000 comes from many sources, including entry fees, sponsorship of the evening concert and the raffle. The daily 42 choirs and performers help to bring thousands of visitors through the church doors – roughly 7,500 over three days – all looked after by an indispensable team of volunteers.
Festival chair, Margaret Oakley, said: “We are utterly delighted at the continued success of this community event which brings in so many visitors to support such an important fundraiser.
“Many of the tree decorators, whether schools, charities or local community groups take such pride in creating the thematic decorations. The 2024 People’s Trophy for the best adult tree was again awarded to the crafting group, Lemon & Ginger, while the junior award was given to Scott Primary School.”
Such was the enthusiasm among voting visitors, that the Festival Committee has also awarded runners-up prizes to Aragon Lace closely followed by Youth Inspired in the adult category.
In the junior category, Edith Cavell Primary School was the runner up, followed closely by Bromham Livingstone Cub Scouts.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Christmas Tree Festival and to mark the Silver Jubilee, the theme for 2025 is to be ‘Christmas Past, Present & Future’.
This year’s event – for those that like to plan ahead – will run for five days from Wednesday 3 – Sunday 7 December and decorators will be invited to apply for a tree in September.
You can keep up to date with the festival by following their Facebook page here.
