Tree of Joy (Thursday 23 November)

This year sees the 29th Rotary Club of Guernsey ‘Tree of Joy’ campaign. which has now become an intrinsic part of Christmas for the local community. 

When the lights that adorn the mast on the roundabout are illuminated, this heralds the start of Christmas for many people.

Providing the lights, however, comes at a cost and the Rotary Club of Guernsey is extremely grateful to our sponsors, Butterfield, PwC and the Guernsey Energy Group who cover these costs annually.

Every year, Rotary and the sponsors invite a young person to turn on the lights and this year is no exception. A young lady called Arina, aged 6, who moved to Guernsey from the Ukraine is performing this important task and will attend the reception hosted by PwC.

The lights on the mast serve as the focal point for the ‘Tree of Joy’ present giving initiative, which the community has generously supported year after year.

Rotary obtains the names of local children who might be deserving of an extra present at Christmas, via independent agencies, to bring a smile to their faces.

Andy Salisbury, the President of the Rotary Club of Guernsey said. "Christmas is a very special time for children and we are delighted to be able to bring some extra joy into their lives as they open their Tree of Joy present. Our wish is to try to ensure that the children still receive a present to open on Christmas morning."

Andy continues "Yes we have a relatively prosperous community but there will always be families especially, with the current cost of living crisis, who are suffering financially, for a variety of genuine reasons."

Mike O’Hara, Chair of the Rotary Community Services Committee, said "Surely there can be no better example of the spirit in giving at Christmas, than imagining the smile on a child’s face as they open that unexpected present on Christmas morning."