We delivered one of our trees to a train station in the county this month to help raise funds for charity (December 2021).

We recently installed a Nordmann Fir tree at Taunton Train Station to help travellers get into the festive spirit and to encourage them to donate to Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

We’re delighted to have been given the opportunity to donate one of our trees for such a worthy cause, especially as CHSW is our chosen Charity of The Year every year, and they are very special to us here.

In January, we will be counting up all the money raised at the train station and at our farm to donate it to the charity. Last year at the farm alone we managed to raise £3,126 thanks to you, our generous customers, so we’re hoping we’ll go well over this for 2021 with the help of the staff at the station and all the donations from passengers.

The Christmas tree will be at Taunton Train Station until the New Year and people are invited to make donations to the charity by using the tins placed around the station.

Debbie Ferris, Station Manager, explains: “Supporting our community is at the heart of what we do at GWR and we’re really grateful to Langford Lakes Christmas Tree Farm in helping to raise funds for CHSW. The tree brightens up the station beautifully, enhancing the atmosphere at the station for all travellers to get them into the Christmas spirit.”

CHSW has been caring for children for more than 25 years and provides specialist palliative care, respite, emergency care, end of life care and bereavement support.

Due to the support the charity receives from the people, businesses and communities of the South West and beyond, it has created three children’s hospice centres with the most recent opening its doors in 2011.

It continues to offer the highest level of support to children with life-limiting illnesses and their families across Cornwall, Plymouth, Torbay, Devon, Somerset, North Somerset, Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Paula Garrett, Community Fundraiser for CHSW, said:

“Thank you very much to Langford Lakes Christmas Tree Farm for donating this lovely tree. We all here at CHSW appreciate all the support you have given us over the years, and I am sure the tree will give lots of the people who use the station Christmas cheer. I also wish to thank GWR for getting involved too and for allowing the tree to go up and for having collection tins in place as well.

“Christmas is such a special time here at CHSW so this fundraiser is very appropriate. If I had a magic wand and could take you and show you how very special the three Children’s Hospice’ look at Christmas, I think you would be amazed. The staff have decorated the hospice and it looks magical. I know how much it means to the life limited children and their families, by their smiles, laughter, and excitement.

“If you think you could help us spread some Children’s Hospice smiles this Christmas and into the new year, then please contact us on 01271 325270 or look on the website. Sending Happy Christmas to you all from CHSW, its children and families, we all hope your Christmas is magical as well.”