Watch: Mayor of Wolverhampton unveils annual Rotary Tree of Remembrance to mark start of festive season

The City of Wolverhampton Rotary Club Tree of Remembrance was unveiled inside the Wulfrun Centre on Saturday by the Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Craig Collingswood.

The ceremony was attended by members of the Rotary Club, including members of the newly former Wolverhampton University Rotaract Club, and members of the public, with live performances from the Wulfruna Ladies Choir.

The tree will be on display near the Dudley Street entrance over the festive season and will provide an opportunity for families to include their loved ones who have passed away in their Christmas celebrations.

Shoppers will be invited to leave a memorial message which will be displayed in exchange for a £5 donation per listing which includes the person's name and words which is then put on the tree and in a cabinet nearby.

Since the appeal was launched in 2004, it has raised more than £120,000 for good causes and charities and seen hundreds of names and messages written down around the tree.

For 2025, the beneficiaries will be the same as last year, with Sponsored Breaks, a local Community Interest Company(CIC) which provides free camper van holidays, Wolverhampton MS Therapy & Oxygen Centre, which offers therapies for people with long term medical conditions, Compton Care hospice trust and Rotary Club of Wolverhampton Charitable Trust, which funds a range of causes at home and abroad.

City of Wolverhampton Rotary Club secretary and member of the Tree of Remembrance committee Lorraine McCarthy said it showed how supportive the people of Wolverhampton were and spoke about the dual purpose of the tree.

She said: "They're very supportive of it and, last year, we raised enough money to ensure we could give the four charities £1,250 each, so this year, we're aiming bigger and higher.

"I think what's good is that we have a number of companies who are on board and provided money as well to support the initiative.

"I lost my daughter in 2018 and I've been a Rotarian since 2020 and involved with the tree since then, so I know it can be very emotive for people this time of year when you've lost someone, so the tree gives comfort to people and is just really lovely."

The Mayor also said he felt the event was an event which showed the true spirit of people from Wolverhampton and said he was full of admiration for the campaign.

He said: "It just shows Wulfrunians in their true light, that of being compassionate and very charitable to people in need and while I have my own charities this year, as an honorary Rotarian, I pledge to help them  with this tree of Remembrance.

"It's a way that Wulfrunians can remember their loved one who've sadly passed away and, at the same time, support the local charities that the Rotary Club are supporting this year.

"It never ceases to amaze me about the compassion and generosity that Wulfrunians have for fantastic causes, and I've said a few words and we've had lots of people coming up here, intrigued by what's going on and happy to make a contribution to the charity."

The tree will be up in the Wulfrun Centre until January 5, with a donations site up and running on the City of Wolverhampton Rotary Club website.

The first set of names for the Tree of Remembrance:

• Michael Bath, gone from our home, but not from our hearts

• May Breakwell, forever in our hearts xxx

• Roly Breakwell, forever in our hearts xxx

• Jean Breakwell, think of you  and miss you every day xxx

• Joseph Brown, forever in our thoughts

• Enid Brown, forever in our thoughts

• Pauline Caddick, Christmas and all eternity we will love and miss you

• John Caddick, Christmas and all eternity we will love and miss you

• Clinton (Kimble) Campbell, a beloved friend missed by Tim & Lorraine

• John Connealy, sadly missed, love Cheryl and John xx

• Michael Connealy, loving Brother and Brother-in-law, love Cheryl and John xx

• Berisford Dehaney, missed by your granddaughter Sooty xxx

• Lena Dehaney, missed by your granddaughter Sooty xxx

• Lauren Dennis, a beloved daughter missed by Mom & Dad xx

• Edie Fox, brightest star in the sky

• Jack Fox, forever loved and missed

• Calphy Gordon, Mother and Grandmother, missed by your Son Tim & family 

• Dudley Gordon, Stepfather and Step-grandfather, missed by Tim & family

• Patricia Griffiths, my darling Wife, thanks for all the memories. Love always Reg x 

• Richard James Griffiths, 1966-1983 beloved Son and Brother. Forever in our thoughts

• Hopeton Jones, a dear friend and fellow cricketer missed by Tim & Lorraine

• Ted Marston, a decent man a good father

• Leonie Marston, a kind and generous spirit

• Manohar Minhas, a great man and great friend sadly missed by Tim Gilbert

• Doreen Morgan, precious memories of the dearest Mom, loved & missed always. Your Jayne xx

• William Morgan, precious memories of the dearest Dad, loved & missed always. Your Jayne xx

• Donald Phillips, sadly missed, forever in our thoughts

• Lance Phillips, forever in our thoughts 

• Larry Phillips, forever in our thoughts 

• Norman Phillips, sadly missed, forever in our thoughts

• Valda Phillips, sadly missed, forever in our thoughts

• Gaynor Phillips, a loving Sister and Aunt

• Margaret Phillips, loving Mom and Nan, remembered always with love x

• Deacon Pinnock, beloved Grandfather, missed by your Granddaughter Sheresa

• Deaconess Pinnock, beloved Grandmother, missed by your Granddaughter Sheresa

• Sylvia Portik, sadly missed Mom remembered with love x

• Gyula Portik, sadly missed Dad remembered with love x

• Beris Robinson, a dear cousin and friend missed by Tim & Lorraine

• Beryl Sharples, Mom forget you never love you always. Sharon & Stephen xx

• John Sharples, Dad forget you never love you always Sharon & Stephen xx

• Jean Smith, Mom forget you never love you always Sharon & Stephen xx

• Geoffrey Smith, Dad forget you never love you always Sharon & Stephen xx

• Lennon Stokes, sleep tight my little Angels. Love & miss you loads Mom xxx

• Liam Stokes, sleep tight my little Angels. Love & miss you loads Mom xxx

• Ant Wright, sadly missed remembered with love always xxx