Special Christmas tree in mall gives shoppers the chance to remember departed loved ones

SHOPPERS at the Braehead Centre are being given the chance to remember in a special way loved ones who have passed on.

The mall is hosting a Salvation Army Christmas Tree of Remembrance, with people being invited to write the name of a departed loved one and a message on a Christmas decoration and hang it on the tree.

The eight-feet high tree is in the upper mall and the Salvation Army will be on hand between 9.30am and 4pm every day this seek until Saturday, December 11.

There is no charge to hang a decoration on the Tree of Remembrance, but shoppers can make a donation to the Salvation Army with cash or by contactless card payment.

Captain Matthew Brown, of the Salvation Army based in Erskine, Renfrewshire said: “This year, many families won’t have everyone around the Christmas dinner table that they used to.

“The Tree of Remembrance gives people, the chance to remember a loved one who has passed away by putting their name on a Christmas tree decoration.

“Christmas in particular is the time of year when our thoughts turn to those who are no longer with us.

 “There are times when we need to be able to make some physical expression of how we feel inside about losing someone we love. The Tree of Remembrance gives us the chance to do just that.

“We’d like to thank Braehead for allowing us to have our Christmas tree in the shopping centre and be able to reach so many people.”

Braehead’s community development manager, Lydia Brown said: “The Tree of Remembrance is a wonderful way of remembering loved ones we have lost.

“We’re glad we can help the Salvation Army reach many, many people who will be coming to Braehead this week and give shoppers this opportunity to reflect for a moment and remember family and friends who are no longer here.”