Your chance to sponsor Birmingham's Tree of Light

Dec 4 2007 By Anna Jeys, Birmingham Mail

IT ADDS sparkle to Birmingham's Victoria Square with its twinkling Christmas lights, but the festive tree in the city centre will hold a more personal message for Brummies this year.

Families across the city are being invited to remember a loved one by sponsoring a light on the first ever Sandvik Tree of Light.

The 50ft Christmas tree was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Coun Randal Brew, last night with the help of Sandvik's Mike Walker.

Organisers still have room for more lights on the tree and families are being urged to dedicate a light to their lost nearest and dearest.

Swedish engineering firm Sandvik has sponsored the tree in Victoria Square for the last 40 years, but the tree will be used in this way for the first time this year.

Proceeds will go towards the Lord Mayor's chosen charities - St Mary's Hospice, in Selly Oak, Edward's Trust, and Scouts and Guides.

Joyce's Dream - a project to renovate Trefoil Croft, a Chartist cottage near Bromsgrove - will also benefit.

Names of people remembered on the tree will be included in a Book of Lights which will be kept in the main entrance to the Council House during December.

Coun Brew said: "We hope this will be a positive way of giving comfort to the bereaved while helping to generate funds for the Lord Mayor's Charity Appeal.

"I'd like to thank Sandvik which has been donating the official Christmas tree to the city since the mid-1960s. It really is appreciated."

Kim Olander, of Sandvik, said: "We are delighted to be able to continue this long tradition and once again donate a Christmas tree to the city of Birmingham for all to enjoy throughout the season."

To sponsor a light, for a minimum donation of £5, or for more information, log on to www.birmingham.gov.uk or call the Lord Mayor's Parlour on 0121 303 1999.