Two Islington entrepreneurs are aiming to make a difference to children’s lives this Christmas, by donating some of their profits from Christmas Tree sales to children’s hospices.
Ralph Laurila and Danny Cullen – who started their Christmas tree delivery service last Saturday – are giving £5 from each sale to Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.
The Tourian Lounge hotel on Highgate Hill has allowed them to store the trees there, alongside an in-person stall. Local deliveries are free.
Ralph said: “We thought it’s been an absolutely awful year for so many people, let’s try and raise some money.”
They chose a children’s hospice as Ralph suffered serious health complications when he was a baby.
“It [Shooting Star Children’s Hospices] costs 8.8 million a year to run, and because of COVID-19 they had to close the majority of their shops,” he said, “we just thought, let’s make it a better year for some children out there.”
Shooting Star Children’s Hospices cares for babies and children throughout London and Surrey with life-limiting conditions, and supports their families from diagnosis to end of life.
Ellie Constable, the charity’s Community Fundraiser, said: “We’re so very grateful to Danny and Ralph for their incredible support this year. It’s so heart-warming to see communities coming together to support local causes, particularly during this difficult time.
“Less than 8% of our funding comes from central government funding […] so we’re always reliant on the public. But this year more so than ever, lots of our fundraising events have been cancelled […] we’ve really been feeling the impact of COVID-19.”
Ralph and Danny aim to continue the project in future years. “If we can do really well, we will move onto bigger spaces and start selling decorations – anything that can raise money,” said Ralph.
Call 07444869640, or visit the Tourian Lounge, to order your Christmas tree and contribute to a worthy cause.
