THIS year’s Tree of Light has been a great success, thanks to the many people and organisations who have helped, including the Malvern Gazette.

We have not yet received details of all our expenditure, and of course we have not been able to claim Gift Aid, but the final result is likely to be around £10,500, which, if achieved, will be a record.

The 10-year total is approaching £90,000.

The people of Malvern are very generous.

More than 10 per cent of our subscribers this year applied using forms clipped from the newspaper, and of course many of our regular contributors, who receive an annual reminder, first got to know about us from your columns.

We particularly wish to thank Malvern Hills District Council for the use of Priory Park and the tree, and the theatre for permitting the invasion when the lights were switched on and for allowing us to display details of the dedications.

The biggest thanks go to our sponsors, both personal and commercial.

We started the project as a fund-raiser, but we quickly realised that it is more than that.

People value the opportunity to commemorate loved ones in this way, and we provide an opportunity for them.

PAUL HARRIS President Malvern Rotary