Inverclyde Businesses are being asked to donate a decorated tree this Christmas for charity.

The tree can be any size you would like from small trees to full-sized trees. Each business should decorate the tree to the theme of their choice.

The theme could represent your business, Inverclyde, or Christmas. For example, a flower shop may choose to decorate its tree with flowers.

Themes can be beach, boat, ship, or you can go traditional red and green, candy, or Santa – be creative and use your imagination.

On Thursday 1st December, we are asking businesses to bring their trees to Cardwell Garden Centre between 09:00 and 17:30.

There will be help there to assist you in getting your tree in and putting on any finishing touches.

The trees will be on display Friday 2nd December and Saturday 3rd December with the event open to the public.

For £1 people can vote for their favourite tree. Each tree will have a sign with the business name clearly visible. All proceeds go to Festive Friends.

The favourite tree will be announced and photographed on Sunday 4th December at Noon.

For businesses donating trees you have two options, the tree can be auctioned with proceeds going to Festive Friends, or you can pick up your tree from noon to 4 pm on Sunday 4th December.

This is an excellent event to combine business and community. Festive Friends is an Inverclyde charity that provides gift boxes and Christmas dinners to those who are elderly, ill, and alone for the holidays. Gift boxes are also provided to anyone in Inverclyde Royal Hospital on Christmas Day.

During this event, we will also have collection boxes set out at Cardwell for Festive Friends. Items needed are fuzzy socks or slippers, hats, gloves, scarves, blankets, stationary sets, gift sets, candles, or ornaments.

For more information or to reserve your spot contact Shari Workman.