Farndon's Friends of the Village Tree group raised over £3,000 for Lincs Air Ambulance

A village’s residents have raised more than £3,000 for a charity with their mobile Christmas tree.

The Farndon’s Friends of the Village Tree group has been using a mobile Christmas Tree to collect funds for causes close to their hearts for over 20 years.

This year, the group raised £3,800 for the Lincs Air Ambulance charity, a life-saving organisation which is funded by donations.

Jez McCarthy, the group founder said: “This year was the best result ever.

“This amazing total is the result of bucket collections by the many rota members and a testament to the generosity of Farndon Villagers.

“Myself and Tony are humbled by the generosity and would like to say thanks to all who have supported us for so long.”

The group formed over 20 years ago, when resident Tony Menzies, was told by Farndon Parish Council that health and safety reasons meant a tree couldn't be decorated on the green.

The Christmas tree was donated by Liz’s Garden Centre, and the Farndon Residents Environment Group, including Tony, towed the festive tree around the village.

They began by raising funds at Hardy’s Farm Shop and now have expanded to be a centrepiece of the Carols on the Green event.

In 2022, the Farndon Residents Environment Group, retired from the fundraiser to focus on other projects and the Farndon’s Friends of the Village Tree was formed.

This year, the community came together again to support the project, Frank Travis, formerly of Farnsfield, donated the sum gathered from a house clearance as he moved to a retirement home.

The fundraising also saw two large individual donations and A1 Fencing, an annual donor, has also given its support.