The aim of a Christmas Tree Festival is twofold: to support charities and to tell the Christmas story.

The festival works in the following way: local branches of national charities are invited to decorate a Christmas tree that we provide space for in the church.

They can decorate the tree in whatever way they like and also provide literature for their charity together with a collecting tin.

The church is open all day and as the public come in to view all the trees they are invited to make a donation to their preferred charity or charities, sit and have a coffee and to look at a display telling the Christmas Story.

Any sponsors are promoted in a give-away leaflet about the festival.

As the aim is to raise as much money as possible for the charities that take part in the display, I am writing to ask if readers could see your way to help us with this charity fundraising appeal.

I would be very grateful if readers would sponsor a Christmas tree for a charity by donating the sum of £20 to cover the cost of a tree and the electricity for the Christmas tree lights.

We know that these are very successful at raising funds for charity.

Last year, for example, Fakenham Parish Church had more than 20,000 visitors to their three-day festival.

I do hope that your readers can see their way to helping us in this charity appeal and would be grateful if you would reply to me at the church office address, by Monday, September 1.

MR L.J. JUDD, honorary treasurer, The Church Office, St John the Evangelist, Blackfriars Road, King's Lynn PE30 1NT