Vera Lynn charity collecting Christmas trees

A charity saved by Dame Vera Lynn is raising money through Christmas tree donations to help children with cerebral palsy, chromosome abnormalities and rare genetic disorders.

Dame Vera Lynn Children's Charity, based in Chailey in East Sussex, is collecting trees directly from supporters' homes between Sunday and Tuesday for a suggested donation of £15.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "Every tree collected helps us support more local children with cerebral palsy and their families in 2026."

Collection bookings are available across both East and West Sussex and in areas of Surrey, including Horley and Lingfield, and Kent, including Edenbridge and Markbeech.

In 2000, national charity Scope said it would no longer be able to fund its network of "school for parents", which provided support for parents with pre-school aged children with neurological conditions.

Former Ditchling resident Dame Vera and her friends subsequently launched what they called the bluebird appeal to raise awareness and funds to save the school.

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