Perth Theatre gets it's Caring Christmas Tree

Dec 4 2009 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

STILL on the hunt for the perfect piece of wood from which to carve his little Pinocchio, Geppetto went out on a limb to size up the paring potential of Perth Theatre’s Caring Christmas Tree.

Geppetto (Liam Brennan) who appears in Pinocchio, Perth Theatre’s magical Christmas musical from tonight, took the measure of the tree as it was being delivered to the theatre.

This year, Horsecross Arts, the creative organisation behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre, has sourced its Christmas trees from Caring Christmas Trees, a registered charity which channels all profits from the sale of the trees into local causes.

Money raised from the sale of Caring Christmas Trees in Perthshire and Tayside goes to Gowrie Care Ltd. to help them with their work in supporting vulnerable people in the area, including people with learning disabilities, mental health issues, autism or who have been homeless.

Damian McGowan, managing director of Gowrie Care Ltd., said: “We are delighted with the support we are gaining for Caring Christmas Trees this year.

“The campaign really will make a huge difference to a number of people. When you buy a Caring Christmas Tree you are creating opportunities for the people we support. With the extra money raised, we can send people on training courses, decorate their homes, reunite them with families and lots more. This is your opportunity to give something back this Christmas.

“We would like to thank Horsecross Arts for supporting and promoting our campaign. Support from local organisations is essential to the success of Caring Christmas Trees.”

It will come as a ‘releaf’ to seasonal visitors to the Fair City venue that Geppetto ruled out the Fraser Fir out for his own project, so he has branched out to carry on with his search. The tree will adorn Perth Theatre for the duration of the festive period.

Caring Christmas Trees can be found online at www.caringchristmastrees.com or by phone on 0845 111 8733.

Pinocchio opens at Perth Theatre today and runs until Saturday, January 2. Call Horsecross Box Office on 01738 621 031, or visit www.horsecross.co.uk