The Londonderry Chamber has presented a cheque of £2100 to local charity Life Tree.

The Chamber raised the funds at its President’s Annual Lunch on 6 March in the City Hotel.

Life Tree was chosen as this year’s President’s Charity by Chamber President Redmond McFadden. Life Tree organises the annual Tree of Remembrance, a unique event which allows people to remember their loved ones by writing a message on a ribbon. During December, the Tree then becomes a sea of yellow as thousands of ribbons are attached to the branches.

Donations to Life Tree also raise vital funds for four local charities – AWARE, Foyle Foodbank, Foyle Hospice and HURT – and support key community services in Derry.

Redmond McFadden, Chamber President, said:

“I am very pleased to be able to present Life Tree with this donation of over £2000. The Life Tree is a brilliant, unique initiative which brings comfort to those who have lost loved ones, especially at Christmas, a time of year when we often miss our loved ones most. These funds will also support some of the city’s most vital charities – AWARE, Foyle Foodbank, Foyle Hospice, and HURT – charities which support and protect some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

“The Covid-19 crisis has seen some charities’ incomes dry up virtually overnight. Charites and voluntary organisations are reliant on donations and fundraising even in the best of times, but the current crisis means people aren’t as able to donate as generously or as frequently as they usually would. I hope that the Chamber’s donation goes some way to relieve some immediate pressures faced by these groups.

“A big thank you must go to everyone who attended the President’s Annual Lunch in March and donated generously. I would encourage everyone to consider donating to a local charity of their choice if they are able to and help support crucial organisations and services as the coronavirus crisis continues to hit our charities hardest.”