The Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern, Bishop of Derby, joined Derbyshire floral features supplier Plantscape to present a solar-powered Christmas tree to the staff of Derby City General Hospital on Friday.

The ecologically-friendly tree, which is for outdoor display in public places, was presented to the hospital’s Deputy Director of Nursing, Em Wilkinson-Brice, as an acknowledgement of the care and hope given by all staff to thousands of patients over Christmas time.

Bishop Alastair visited Plantscape’s nursery, in Hulland village, near Ashbourne, in November this year and was amazed by the solar-powered Christmas tree invention. He was keen to join with Plantscape in presenting the tree to the hospital as a gift, so that the difficult work done by the healthcare community could be highlighted over Christmas. The gift, he said, was symbolic of what Christmas should be about.

He said: "I was very taken with the solar-powered Christmas tree when I visited Plantscape's nurseries back in November. It seemed totally fitting to join Plantscape in presenting this ingenious tree to the caring staff at Derby City Hospital at Christmas time. Hospital staff bring hope and relief on a daily basis to patients in their dark times of ill health. The Christmas story tells of the 'light' and hope that Jesus's birth brought to mankind, through his teachings and profound acts of love and healing. As this tree shines in the darkness outside the hospital over the Christmas season, for me, it could not be more symbolic of the light and hope that Jesus brings to all."

Plantscape’s Sales Director Adrian Lewis Bunkle said: ”We were very happy to join Bishop Alastair in presenting one of our solar powered trees to Derby City Hospital. It is both a symbol of hope at Christmas and a small token of gratitude for the care hospital staff give to the community all year round.”

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