Scottish homelessness charity, Bethany Christian Trust, is asking festive shoppers to help people without a home this winter by purchasing a Caring Christmas Tree.

Adding festive warmth to their home with a Caring Christmas Tree helps to bring much needed care and support to people in need across Scotland.

Caring Christmas Trees has been running in Scotland for over 16 years, selling over 3,000 trees last year and raising £47,093 for Bethany’s work supporting people who are homeless or vulnerable.

Alasdair Bennett, Chief Executive at Bethany Christian Trust, said: “For many people in Scotland the harsh realities of a lonely and cold hard winter are the only outlook at Christmas. Please consider buying a Caring Christmas Tree this year as all the money raised sustains Bethany’s lifeline services to support families and individuals in desperate need.”

Trees are priced from £40 and sustainably grown in Scotland. Available in a range of sizes, they are available to pre-purchase online www.caringchristmastrees.com or by calling 0345 111 8733 from October 21. The trees will be ready for collection at various locations in Edinburgh, West Lothian, East Lothian, Glasgow and Fife in December. Trees can also be ordered for delivery in Edinburgh and Glasgow for the end of November and early December.

Also this year, Bethany are partnering with St Stephen’s Church in Comely Bank, Edinburgh to put on a Christmas market on December 9 and 10. This will be an opportunity to browse stalls from local Edinburgh vendors, enjoy some home baking and a warm drink, and listen to live music from pupils at Broughton High School. Visitors to the market will be able to book to pick up their tree at the same time.