Dobbies’ Edinburgh stores spread Christmas cheer with real tree donations to schools and nurseries

GARDEN CENTRE TO GIVE AWAY COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREES – BUT TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO MAKE YOUR NOMINATION

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is spreading Christmas joy to local schools and nursery groups in Edinburgh with real tree donations as part of its Not Your Average Community campaign, in partnership with sustainable real tree grower, Needlefresh.

Set to twinkle corridors and delight children with yuletide cheer, Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and Stockbridge little dobbies will be donating Nordmann Fir Christmas trees to local schools and nurseries to create a centrepiece for celebrations and is now welcoming nominations.

All of Dobbies’ Christmas trees are sustainably grown in environmentally managed fields across Scotland where the growing team do everything from planting, pruning and harvesting by hand to reduce the impact on surrounding environment, wildlife and plants.

Dobbies’ CSR and Community Communications Executive, Chloë Bell, has been delivering Dobbies’ Not Your Average Community campaign for two years and is excited announce this year’s focus. She said: “Community is at the core of Christmas at Dobbies and we love sharing the festive joy with those around us.

“We want to help create Christmas magic in local schools and nurseries in Edinburgh and hope that through the tree donations with Needlefresh, kids can come together, decorate the tree and make memories.”

Needlefresh Managing Director, George Hood, added: “Our sustainable Nordmann Fir Christmas trees make a wonderful centrepiece to festive celebrations as they are bushy and full, and good needle retention.

“We are excited to see how local schools and nurseries bring this classic tree to life through their decorations and we are delighted to be partnering with Dobbies on delivering a magical moment for children in Edinburgh.”

Nominations are now open. Entries close on Wednesday 25 October and successful applicants will be contacted in November to arrange a date to collect a Nordmann Fir tree from their local store.

For more information about how to get involved or make a nomination, visit Not your average community | Dobbies Garden Centres

Letter: Edinburgh schools encouraged to take part in NSPCC Number Day this Friday

Dear editor,

Schools across Edinburgh are being encouraged to sign up to NSPCC Number Day to help more children engage with and enjoy maths.

Number Day is aimed at nurseries and schools, with teachers and pupils raising vital funds for the NSPCC.

The event takes place this Friday, February 3, with free curriculum-based downloadable activities available to schools across the country.

The event is being supported by veteran children’s TV presenter and maths enthusiast Johnny Ball.

The funds raised from this event could help fund NSPCC school’s programs like Speak Out Stay Safe, which teaches children in an age-appropriate way to recognise the signs of abuse and speak out if something is worrying them.

If you would like to know more about taking part in the NSPCC’s forthcoming Number Day please visit: www.nspcc.org.uk/support-us/charity-fundraising/schools-fundraising-ideas/number-day/

Our school’s team is also recruiting new Speak Out Stay Safe volunteers in specific areas of Scotland to deliver workshops in primary schools to years five and six.

To find out more about becoming a Speak Out Stay Safe volunteer please email volunteerrecruitment@nspcc.org.uk

Sincerely,

Georgia Hall-Newell,

NSPCC Schools Coordinator for Edinburgh