CHILDREN from a Wrexham primary school have transformed the Christmas tree at their local Barnardo’s with handmade decorations covered in heart-warming poems.

The tree at the Barnardo’s Cymru shop in Eagles Meadow shopping centre has become quite a talking point - and has even moved some customers to tears, says manager Portia-Hope Kitney.

She said: “I’ve watched customers with tears in their eyes as they’ve read the poems. I burst into tears myself when I saw what lovely decorations the children had made for us, they are so sweet.

“We are a new store and our Christmas tree was bare. I wanted the decorations to be personal so I asked teachers at Victoria Community Primary School if the pupils could make them for us and the children were really keen.

"They used their handprints to decorate them and added touching poems. It shows how despite lockdown and all the challenges of recent months the children are achieving and thriving.”

The children made baubles, Christmas trees and snowmen printed with handprints and bearing words including: “These aren’t just five snowmen and as anyone can see, I made them with my hand, which is part of me. Now each year when you decorate your home, you’ll look back and recall Christmas 2020 when my hand was just this small!”

Early years’ teacher Jo Sibley added: “The children really enjoyed making them and are excited about visiting the shop to see them on the tree. Barnardo’s is such a worthwhile cause and it has been lovely being involved in the project.”

The tree has been decorated in time for the store’s special fundraising Kidsmas Week which has been themed around the Disney film Frozen.

Frozen dressing up clothes, DVDs, books and toys were on sale from Monday, November 30, and there will be a tombola, hamper raffle and goodie bags containing items such as a DVD, book and sweets for just £1.

“It has been a tough time for shops during the pandemic but since the fire-break lockdown was lifted things have really picked up and we are getting a lot more people through the doors.

“This is a really important time for us as we raise funds for Barnardo’s work with vulnerable children and families so we hope our Kidsmas Week will be a great success. We are very grateful to the Victoria pupils for helping us by making our tree so special,” said Portia.