CARING Stratford residents can remember a loved one and help raise cash for a good cause when a town charity ‘yarn bombs’ a tree.
GAGA UK on Timothy’s Bridge Road are getting set to unveil their ‘Remembering Tree’ early next week in a bid to raise more then £5,000 to support its work in some of the poorest communities in Africa.
The unique fund-raising began last year and saw more than 400 people celebrated, multiple Stratford businesses offer support and every school in the town take part.
The Remembering Tree will be made up of more than 1,500 crocheted synthetic wool squares, half of which are produced in South Africa by women from poor communities to help boost their income and gain new skills.
Volunteers will ‘yarn bomb’ – wrap the tree in the blanket – overnight at some point this weekend at an undisclosed location in town.
And on Monday (December 1), the tree will be decorated with wool squares for the next six weeks.
For a donation of £5, residents can purchase a square to remember a loved one or show someone special they love them.
There is no limit to the amount of squares which can be purchased and each name will be placed on a board next to the finished tree in the same week
At the end of the fund-raising, the wool will be washed and recycled into blankets to be either sent back to Southern Africa or given to a homeless charity in the local area.
Charlie Homer from GAGA UK confirmed the charity had received support from Stratford District Council for the fund-raising project.
“The district council are fully behind us and are aware of its location, we want to keep it a secret so that you can get a great sense of pleasure from the surprise
“This year we want to build on the success of the 2013 fund-raiser. We have added an exciting new element to our ‘Yarn Bombing’, Crocheted Baubles!
“The Remembering Tree gives people space and time to celebrate life in all its colours and it will be in place for the duration of Christmas and into the New Year.
Visit www.gaga-uk.org/support-us/the-remembering-tree or www.facebook.com/therememberingtree for more information or to make a donation.
A total of 1,500 crotched squares will be on the blanket surrounding the tree. (s)
