Sussex children meet Santa donating Christmas trees
Father Christmas jumped into the driving seat to criss-cross the county and deliver Christmas trees donated by a chain of family-run Sussex garden centres. The focus was on supporting a range of primary schools, churches, charities and support services for vulnerable people, community centres and healthcare facilities.
Tates of Sussex operates sites in Hassocks, Newhaven, Portslade and Dial Post near Horsham. Over the past few days, staff have been busy gifting traditional festive trees to good causes across the county.
Joined by a friendly elf, Santa went to twenty venues including Mile Oak primary, West Hove infants and Storrington primary schools. Each was presented with a freshly harvested seven-foot-tall tree to decorate. The cavalcade also called at Harbour primary school in Newhaven, Jolesfield at Partridge Green and Seaford primary.
“The children were, naturally, delighted to receive their new trees and to see Santa and his Elf assistant helping to deliver them”, said Tates’ executive director, Benjamin Tate.
At each school there were many faces pressed up against classroom windows to see the surprise donation arrive. Other destinations included churches and charities.
“We’re proud to donate live Christmas trees again this year. It’s wonderful to be able to support local schools and organisations and help make their festive celebrations feel that bit more special,” adds Benjamin.
Other Sussex communities to receive a Tates tree included St John's church in Burgess Hill, St. Peter's church, West Blatchington, Portslade Health Centre, and Age Concern in Hassocks along with Dalesdown Christian Retreat Centre at Dial Post.