Your perfect Christmas tree, made easy

TWO Ballarat’s Scout groups have teamed up this festive season to bring fresh cut Christmas tree joy to the city.

Both the 3rd Ballarat and the 7th Ballarat-Sebastopol Scout groups have been impacted by COVID-19 restrictions which have limited their ability to raise funds.

Now they are selling yuletide pines at two locations on either side of the city and offering delivery options as a way of raising money to put back into the organisation’s community activities.

“There’s a great demand for the smell of a Christmas tree and something real in the home,” said Daniel Chappell, 3rd Ballarat Scout leader.

“Last year a local florist offered the trees as a fundraiser, so it just seemed perfect. The more trees we sell the better return we get.”

There’s a range of sizes from four, six and eight feet tall at different price points starting at $45, and the groups have also set up a Facebook page for easy ordering.

For an extra $10 the Scouts will deliver Christmas joy to your door, and they also have a solution for the problem of what to do with the tree after the festive season is over.

“If people would like us to come and pick up the tree after Christmas they can book in a date and for $10 we’ll take it away,” Mr Chappell said.

Like many community groups, the pandemic has heavily impacted the Scouts ability to raise funds in 2020.

Mr Chappell said the money the 3rd Ballarat Scouts make from the effort will go back into two key areas.

“We’ve just undergone some massive renovations in our hall and they need to be paid for,” he said. “And we have jamboree next year.

“We need to get the leaders to jamboree and also assist the Scouts in offsetting some of those costs.

The 3rd Ballarat Scouts are selling trees from their hall on Chisolm Street, Black Hill, and 7th Ballarat-Sebastopol Scouts can be found at Delacombe Town Centre. Hours this weekend are Friday, 5pm to 8.30pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

The groups are also taking pre-orders and offering delivery via their Facebook page, visit facebook.com/3rdand7thballaratchristmastreesales for more info.