A Christmas 'Gifting Tree' has been placed in St Albans, which allows residents to purchase gifts for those in need.

Multiple tags have been placed on the tree, with guidance for the reader to purchase a particular gift. The item can then be wrapped and returned to the location.

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The idea was driven by Christopher Place manager Catherine Morris, who was put in touch with family support groups Hertfordshire Family Centre Services and InspireAll by St Albans BID (Business Improvement District).

Catherine said: "The Gifting Tree has been helping to spread joy in the community since 2019 - it was dedicated to local nursing homes, and residents received gifts from the tree to put a smile on their faces.

"This year, after speaking to local organisations who support struggling families in St Albans, I thought our Gifting Tree could help spread a little joy to these local families with presents perfectly suited to them."

59 beneficiaries of the gifts have been selected by the family support teams, with guidance for each gift written on the tags.

Vivien Cannon, manager of St Albans BID, said: "Our local businesses regularly invest in their community, and this is a heart-warming example.

"I’m wowed by Catherine’s ability to secure benefactors so quickly and humbled by those who generously came forward to buy gifts.

"In this instance, BID’s role was to support Catherine in her quest helping her locate an organisation in touch with local families and broker the partnership to help deliver the true spirit of Christmas.”