Forestry Commission in Christmas Cracker

12.01.00am GMT Fri 25th Dec 2009

Mike Pringle, Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh South, has submitted a parliamentary motion celebrating the generosity of the Forestry Commission Scotland in spreading Christmas cheer by providing all 129 MSPs with a Christmas Tree to donate to a worthy local cause.

All sorts of organisations across Scotland have benefited from the donated trees including local schools, care homes and community groups.

This year Mike decided to donate his tree to all the hard working staff and cheerful residents at Royal Blind Society Braeside House the purpose built facility for older people who suffer from blindness or visual impairment. There were all sorts of reasons to celebrate at Braeside this year including the recent opening of its new sensory garden and its 10th Anniversary.

Mike Pringle said

"The donations are a lovely gesture from the Forestry Commission; they've helped to brighten up Christmases all over Scotland.

"I visited Braeside house yesterday and was delighted to see that all the staff and residents were really enjoying their tree.

"Congratulations to Braeside on another successful year, I'm sure there will be many more to come."

The full text of Mike's motion is as follows, it has been supported by 18 MSPs from all parties

S3M-05441 Mike Pringle (Edinburgh South) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): Thank You to the Forestry Commission- That the Parliament thanks the Forestry Commission Scotland for its generosity in providing a Christmas tree to all MSPs for donation to a local charity or organisation of their choice; notes the hard work of all the staff at Royal Blind Braeside House, the purpose-built care home for older people who are blind or visually impaired in Edinburgh; congratulates them and all the cheerful residents on the opening of their new sensory garden and their successful 10th anniversary year; hopes that they are enjoying their donated tree, and trusts that there will be many more successful years to come.