Christmas tree to help homeless

Gordon Brown has already placed his Christmas tree order

Prime Minister Gordon Brown is urging people to help the homeless in Edinburgh and Fife by buying a Christmas tree from a special project.

Bethany Christian Trust's The Caring Christmas Tree Appeal ensures for every tree bought, a homeless person will receive a hot meal and shelter.

The event which has been running since 2005 funds more than 7,000 bed spaces for homeless people.

Order on 23, 24, 30 November and 1 December at the Gyle Shopping Centre.

Homeless service

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, bought two trees last year, one for his home in Fife and the other for his constituency office, and has already placed his order for this coming Christmas.

Mr Brown said: "I am delighted to support Bethany Christian Trust's Caring Christmas Tree Appeal and would like to take this opportunity to thank them for all the excellent work they do, not only at Christmas, but all year round."

Catherine Rawlinson-Watkins, Bethany Christian Trust fundraising manager, said: "Winter is a very dangerous and unpleasant time to be homeless and the Caring Christmas Tree idea works because it's very simple.

"Many people, including the prime minister, want new Christmas trees and we need to provide services to the homeless."

The trees on sale are sourced from sustainable forests by members of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association.

The popular non-needle drop Nordman fir Christmas trees cost about £5 per foot and are from four to eight feet tall.

The Christmas trees can be collected on 7, 8, 14 and 15 December from the Gyle and various collection points throughout Edinburgh.

Orders must be placed by 12 December.