News
Christmas Tree Festival 2024: See the Trees
About the Christmas Tree Festival
Until December 24th, 2024, take a stroll through the malls at Midsummer Place and admire the 14 Christmas trees, each beautifully decorated by a local business or organisation.
We’re hosting a competition to find the best-dressed tree, and the three trees with the most votes will each receive a cash donation for their nominated charity in the New Year.
We need your help to decide the winners! Voting is free, and it’s easy—simply tell us which three trees you think are the best, and help us support these incredible causes.
Scroll down to view each of the trees (although we highly recommend visiting them in person as they are even more beautiful in real life!) and hear about their sponsors and nominated charities.
Click here to find out how to vote.
Tree 1 - Probadge Limited supporting Medical Detection Dogs
Name of tree: Santa Paws
Probadge are designers and printers of Badges, ID Cards and Signs, based in Winslow.
An office of dog lovers, with one member of staff being on their list of fosterers, we are excited to support a charity close to our hearts, local to our office and doing amazing work saving lives with our four legged friends.
Can you imagine if a dog could detect an illness well before we had any idea there was a problem and reduce the need for intrusive, unpleasant and expensive diagnostic tests?
Well for over 15 years, Medical Detection Dogs has been training dogs to do just that; to save lives using their amazing sense of smell.
It does this with Medical Alert Assistance Dogs and Bio Detection Dogs, both of which can be trained to detect even the tiniest trace of the smell caused by a medical condition.
Bio Detection Dogs are trained to detect diseases like cancers, Parkinson’s, malaria and bacterial infections.
Medical Alert Assistance Dogs support people with complex health conditions like diabetes, PoTS and severe allergies when they are in danger of having a potentially life-threatening medical event, so they can take the necessary action and prevent hospital admission.
The charity is already making a huge difference to many by training dogs to not only save lives but also restore the confidence and independence that many of its clients lose when they become ill. And the list of diseases the world-leading Bio Detection research focuses on is growing all the time.
Medical Detection Dogs relies solely on the public’s generosity and goodwill. Please help it continue its life-changing work.
Your support will save lives.
Click here for more information or follow on Facebook: #MedicalDetectionDogs Twitter: @MedDetectDogs Instagram: @medicaldetectiondogs
Tree 2 - Blossom Room supporting Emily's Star
Blossom Room in Milton Keynes is an upscale, contemporary bar known for its chic ambiance, unique décor, and expertly crafted cocktails. With a stunning interior featuring elegant cherry blossom trees and warm lighting, it creates a distinctive, stylish atmosphere perfect for any occasion, from intimate gatherings to vibrant nights out. Blossom Room's cocktail menu showcases innovative drinks made with premium ingredients, while its attentive staff ensures a memorable experience for every guest. Located in the heart of Milton Keynes, Blossom Room has quickly become a premier destination for nightlife, offering a blend of sophistication and energy that continues to captivate locals and visitors alike. Blossom Room chose to support Emily’s Star this Christmas to help bring comfort and joy to children with life-limiting illnesses and their families, embracing the spirit of giving back to the Milton Keynes community.
For over 12 years, Emily's Star has been a lifeline for families in Milton Keynes, offering compassionate support to children and babies facing life-threatening or life-limiting conditions. From birth up until the age of 25, we are here to stand by families through every step of their journey, providing tailored care and connection when they need it most.
Our support is deeply personal and diverse, including one-on-one sessions, memory-making activities, large group events, and our cherished yearly wishes. Every service is customized to each family’s unique needs, helping create moments of joy and connection during challenging times.
In addition, we extend a helping hand to families of premature babies nationwide. We provide neonatal clothing and emergency care packs free of charge, with full neonatal boxes for Milton Keynes Hospital and mini packs that can be sent to hospitals across the UK.
All of this support is completely free to families, made possible through our dedicated fundraising efforts. Every event, every care pack, and every precious memory we help create is funded by the generosity of our community.
Emily's Star was founded in loving memory of Emily, who passed away at just 26 days old after being born with Trisomy 18, the UK’s second most common genetic syndrome after Down Syndrome. Emily's legacy shines brightly in everything we do, inspiring us to be a source of strength and hope for families in their toughest times.
Click here for more information.
Tree 3 - Incentivesmart supporting Willen Hospice
Name of our tree: The Caring Evergreen
At Incentivesmart, we’re all about building Rewarding Relationships. We create dynamic, points-based incentive programmes that inspire loyalty, drive performance, and celebrate the people who power your business. Whether it’s motivating channel partners, winning over customers, or engaging employees, our programmes turn every interaction into an opportunity to strengthen connections and drive lasting results.
This year, Incentivesmart is proudly supporting Willen Hospice’s Who Cares campaign to raise awareness and funds to sustain this vital work. Some of us at Incentivesmart have felt the compassionate care of Willen Hospice firsthand, so this mission hits home. By standing with the Who Cares campaign, we’re helping ensure that Willen Hospice’s dedicated staff and volunteers can continue making a profound difference for families in Milton Keynes during their most challenging times. Pledge your support and help us reach 10,000 signatures! Together, we can make sure no one in our community has to face end-of-life care without the support they deserve.
Click here for more information.
Tree 4 - Shakespeare Martineau LLP supporting Camphill MK
Shakespeare Martineau is a full-service law firm working with businesses, individuals and their families across Milton Keynes and beyond. We deliver a broad range of specialist legal services for organisations of all sizes and sectors including SMEs, government, charity and public sector, and the firm has expertise across multiple areas from family business and investment funds through to property development and healthcare. Shakespeare Martineau also provides services for families and private clients, from wills, estate planning and residential conveyancing, to divorce and child arrangements. Shakespeare Martineau is a B Corporation, committed to changing business for good. Find out more at shma.co.uk We are proud to be a sponsor for our chosen charity, Camphill Milton Keynes, a residential community for adults with a wide range of learning disabilities, providing support and a meaningful working life in a safe environment.
Camphill Milton Keynes Communities
Residents and day visitors at Camphill MK get involved in workshops in their theatre, café, pottery, weavery, gardens and tools/upcycling centre. By engaging in a range of creative workshops on a daily basis, each individual is supported to develop and undertake meaningful activity, giving purpose to lives.
If you can vote for our tree, we’d be grateful as Camphill is currently fundraising for a major building project to provide improved workshop facilities and new accessible accommodation to provide a home for more residents.
We hope you enjoy our Camphill tree with beautiful decorations lovingly created by adults with learning disabilities. Made full of care, love and with sustainability and personal growth at the heart.”
Click here for more information.
Tree 5 - Ridgeway Centre Conferencing supporting MK-ACT
The Ridgeway Centre is a top-class multi- purpose conference facility and training venue based in Milton Keynes. We believe in creating strong relationships with our clients so you can rest assured your vision will be seen through our eyes too!
With our range of adaptable event spaces and meeting rooms of varying sizes available to hire, it is no wonder so many of Milton Keynes top companies choose to host their events with us.
Not only do we have our main function suites, we have meeting rooms too. All with various capacities, meaning you have options to choose from. Setup for delivering engaging meetings in a variety of sizes and layouts.
You can rest assured that from the first contact until the end of your event, we will work with you throughout to ensure it comes to life exactly as you envision.
MK ACT is a charity in Milton Keynes which works with over 100 families’ every day to help them move on from fear and abuse. We have been providing safe emergency accommodation in Milton Keynes for people and their children escaping domestic violence for over 45 years.
Domestic abuse occurs across society, regardless of age, gender, race, sexuality, wealth, and geography. MK Act offers help to anyone aged 16 years and up within Milton Keynes.
Click here for more information.
Tree 6 - Brinnick Locksmiths and Security Limited supporting MS Society Milton Keynes
Brinnick Locksmiths and Security
Having served Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas for over 30 years, at Brinnick Locksmiths & Security we cover any security needs with expert knowledge and experience. We are the only certified Master Locksmith in the area and work with local hospitals, schools and councils as part of our ever-growing customer base.
From lock outs to lock changes at your property, and the installation of security alarms and cameras, keeping you and your family secure is our top priority. We also supply and service safes, grilles, UPVC and wooden doors, master locking systems and our high-street shop in Newport Pagnell can tend to any in-person questions and key cutting needs.
The Milton Keynes & District Group of the MS Society supports local people with Multiple Sclerosis and their families and carers.
The Milton Keynes group provides:
- Friendship in regular social activities, on-line and in person, daytime, and evening, in accessible and non-judgemental environments. Join us for a coffee, an online chat or in the pub.
- Fitness in accessible environments, at your own pace, with support. Join us for seated or mat Pilates from your own home or in our exclusive hire, heated swimming pool.
- Finance to enable people with the condition to live as comfortably as possible. Support to apply for welfare grants and other sources of funding can be provided.
Our activities help people to face the future with more confidence, socialise and remain part of the community.
Our local services are paid for entirely by money raised by volunteer fundraisers, at bucket collections and through grants and donations to the MK group.
The Milton Keynes MS Society Group is run by volunteers, people like you who want to do something for local people with MS. Whatever your skills, there's an opportunity for you to get involved and make a real difference for your local MS community.
Click here for more information. Alternatively, you can send an email via miltonkeynes@mssociety.org.uk
Tree 7 - Franklins Solicitors LLP supporting YMCA Milton Keynes
Franklins Solicitors LLP is a full-service law firm, with offices in Milton Keynes Northampton. We’ve been helping clients with their business and personal legal matters since 1982. Offering a friendly, efficient, and professional service, we pride ourselves on putting clients first.
We’re proud to be rated Excellent on Trustpilot and regularly receive repeat business and referrals from thousands of satisfied clients.
Our services include:
• Conveyancing
• Wills and Probate
• Employment Law
• Family Law
• Corporate Services
• Dispute Resolution
• Commercial Property
• Intellectual Property
YMCA MK provides local young people with a safe place to call home, people they can trust and support to fulfil their potential. Since 1981, the YMCA has supported more than 10,000 young people. With the help of local volunteers, businesses, funders and supporters, they provide a range of services to help our residents thrive.
Click here for more information.
Tree 8 - GXO Logistics UK Limited supporting Milton Keynes Hospital Charity
GXO is a world leader in providing cutting-edge logistics solutions for multinational companies and blue-chip market leaders.
Our ultimate vision: create game-changing opportunities for the world’s best companies.
The sole focus of our business is on moving goods through supply chains with critical efficiency and reliability. When we talk with customers, we want to know their most complex requirements and biggest challenges. The logistics processes that we engineer create faster, leaner, smarter supply chains tailored to those needs.
Our decades of experience in B2B and B2C verticals and our significant investments in innovation have put us in a strong position to capitalize on the tailwinds in our industry. These tailwinds include customer demand for advanced automation, the ongoing growth in ecommerce and the trend toward outsourcing supply chain services — all core competencies of GXO that set up our customers for success.
Logistics at full potential.
Milton Keynes Hospital Charity
Milton Keynes Hospital Charity, the official charity at the heart of Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH), dedicates itself to raising crucial funds that go above and beyond in enhancing experiences for patients, their families, and our dedicated NHS colleagues.
We make the hospital experience brighter, more comfortable, and full of hope for everyone. Every pound raised allows us to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
But we do more than fundraising.
As a small yet mighty team, our reach spans across every ward and department of the hospital. We collaborate with MKUH staff on special experience enhancing projects and work closely with our Voluntary Services team to support our growing network of incredible volunteers.
The projects we work on are diverse and impactful, from providing cutting edge medical equipment like vein finders, BabyLeo incubators, and Virtual Reality headsets, to transforming clinical spaces into warm and inviting environments that bring comfort to patients and their families.
Our charity also leads dedicated appeals and ensures that donations reach areas where they’re needed most. But our wonderful supporters can choose exactly where their kind donations go too. For example, they may wish to donate to our Neonatal Unit to thank the staff who provided exceptional care for their little ones, or they may wish to give to our charity because they received exceptional care themselves.
Fundamentally, we are powered by the kindness and generosity of the local community it is this generosity that fuels our mission, our work, and our impact.
If the Milton Keynes Hospital Charity Christmas tree, proudly designed and sponsored by GXO, were to be chosen as the winner, funds raised will go towards supporting vital projects for our youngest patients on wards 4 and 5 at MKUH.
The money will be used to fund chair beds for parents to stay by their child’s side, joyful visits from entertainers to brighten long days, vibrant artwork to fill the walls with colour and hope, sensory items to soothe and comfort, and refurbished family rooms to create spaces of rest and togetherness.
From all of us at Milton Keynes Hospital Charity, and on behalf of MKUH’s Children’s Wards, we’d like to thank everyone in advance for your support and votes in this year’s Christmas Tree Festival at Midsummer Place! Your vote could make a real difference to the children in our hospital’s care, and we are
incredibly grateful for your generosity and kindness.
Click here for more information or email our team fundraising@mkuh.nhs.uk
For the latest social media updates from Milton Keynes Hospital Charity:
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/ mkhcharity
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/ mkhcharity
Connect with us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/ mkhcharity
Bring Some Magical Smiles this Christmas.
Tree 9 - Brian Currie (Milton Keynes) Limited supporting Pancreatic Cancer
Since 1977, Brian Currie (Milton Keynes) Ltd has been a trusted name in Milton Keynes, starting as a small workshop and growing into a multi-location dealership for DAF Trucks and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Serving Milton Keynes, Bedford, Northampton, and beyond, Brian Currie MK Ltd provides high-quality parts, service, and maintenance for all makes of trucks and trailers. Today, the company continues to support logistics, haulage, councils, and blue-chip clients, offering expertise and excellence across the region.
Pancreatic cancer is the toughest of cancer challenges. It’s tough to diagnose, tough to treat, tough to research and tough to survive. But we’re taking it on.
Our vision is that everyone with pancreatic cancer survives to live long and well.
We’ll transform the future for pancreatic cancer by funding research breakthroughs, campaigning for changes to treatment and care and supporting people when they need it the most.
Our five-year strategy: Finding breakthroughs. Giving hope. Saving lives.
In the last five years we have seen more progress than in the previous five decades. In the next five years, we know we can step up the pace and drive this progress even further forward, transforming how we diagnose, treat and care for people with pancreatic cancer – and ultimately saving lives.
Click here for more information.
Tree 10 - Samaritans Milton Keynes supporting Samaritans Milton Keynes
Tree Name and message: The 'Positivitree'
Every 10 seconds, Samaritans responds to a call for help.
We’re here, day or night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure.
Samaritans is not only for the moment of crisis, we’re taking action to prevent the crisis.
We give people ways to cope and the skills to be there for others. And we encourage, promote and celebrate those moments of connection between people that can save lives.
We offer listening and support to people and communities in times of need.
In prisons, schools, hospitals and on the rail network, Samaritans are working with people who are going through a difficult time and training others to do the same.
Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy, and Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide. That’s why we work tirelessly to reach more people and make suicide prevention a priority.
Chosen benefactor - Samaritans MK Branch
Samaritans are not just here for Christmas, we are here 24/7, 365 days a year to support you. We are here to listen when you need us on 116 123.
Click here for more information.
Tree 11 - Slimming World Milton Keynes with Jane supporting Alzheimer's Research UK
Slimming World Milton Keynes with Jane
"I started raising money for Alzheimers Research UK when my Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimers and Vascular Dementia in 2017 because I was powerless to stop this disease, I carry on now in his memory to one day stop others from facing the same.
The diagnosis was devastating for him and us as a family. To stand by and watch an articulate and intelligent man lose his vocabulary and sense of identity was soul destroying. Changes in personality and mood meant that the person we knew and loved gradually disappeared along with his memories.
Sadly Dad passed away on 10 August 2021 after a minor chest infection lead to a short stay at MK Hospital where he contracted sepsis which lead to a fatal heart attack
I can’t imagine how scared he would have been at the hospital amongst strangers who were ill equipped to deal with dementia patients and were also trying to deal with the consequences of a pandemic. He died alone without his family beside him.
Our vision is a world where people are free from the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia.
Alzheimers Research are the UK's leading dementia research charity, dedicated to causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and cure. Backed by our passionate scientists and supporters, we’re challenging the way people think about dementia, uniting the big thinkers in the field and funding the innovative science that will deliver a cure.
Slimming World Milton Keynes with Jane is an award winning, super supportive weight loss group running from venues in Stony Stratford, Whitehouse, Old Stratford and Olney. Whilst losing lb's we are also committed to raising £'s for Alzheimer's Research a disease which has impacted so many of us.
As a failed dieter for over 25 years, Slimming World enabled me to lose weight without ever feeling hungry and after reaching my target weight with a loss of over 11 stone, I decided that I would like to help others achieve their goals.
Losing weight is easy when you have a fantastic plan, however changing the habits of a lifetime around how we think and feel about food is much harder. As an organisation we have over 55 years experience in the psychology of slimming and our friendly groups offer support without judgement or humiliation with other like minded people.
To find out more check out our Facebook page or give me a call on 07886 808205.
Our tree is a memory tree. We are remembering a lifetime of memories and the people we have lost. Most of us take these memories for granted but these are the things that dementia rob."
Click here to find out more.
Tree 12 - Tickford Security Systems Ltd supporting Milton Keynes Safety Centre
Tree name: “Securing Christmas”
Tickford Security Systems offers industry-leading domestic, commercial, and local authority security services across and beyond Milton Keynes, Northampton, Bedford, and surrounding villages. Our services include Intruder Alarms, CCTV, Access Control, Keyholding and Fire systems, as well as maintaining new and old installations.
Tickford Security is also a National Security Inspectorate Gold company – the highest level of accreditation available from the industry’s leading certification body. We pride ourselves on providing a friendly but professional service, with the ability to install and maintain in both domestic and commercial environments.
The Safety Centre is the world’s first interactive, immersive, and memorable safety education charity. Specialising in teaching children, young people and adults about how to stay safe, understand risks and avoid accidents using realistic learning experiences.
The Safety Centre offers immersive education safety tours and classroom sessions at our education centre Hazard Alley in Kiln Farm, Milton Keynes, as well as outreach education in schools for students, teachers and parents. We provide high quality interactive, immersive, experiential, and memorable safety education and training to children, young people and adults across the region.
Click here to find out more.
Tree 13 - Hays Travel supporting MK Food Bank
Tree name: Holly Jolly Holidays at Hays Travel
Hays Travel, we are the largest independent travel agent, our fantastic range of holidays include everything from last minute getaways, family breaks and solo travel, to cruise holidays and specialist trips focused on wellness, wildlife watching, sports, relaxing and more.
MK Food Bank
MK Food Bank is here to provide short term crisis support and care for families and individuals in Milton Keynes.
Established in 2004, MK Food Bank originated at MK Christian Centre in Oldbrook as a direct response to growing food poverty in the area. Now supporting more than 5,000 families a year, we operate from our distribution centre in Kiln Farm, Milton Keynes MK11 3HB and distribute from 10 serving centres across Milton Keynes.
People call or are referred to us for a variety of reasons, with family crises, loss of employment or benefits and debt problems all common. Sometimes people coming out of hospital or prison need immediate practical support, as do those placed in emergency accommodation. Whatever circumstances leave families struggling to keep a roof over their heads, The Food Bank can provide short term, crisis food support. By working closely with local social care and health agencies we also ensure people are receiving help with their underlying issues.
Click here to find out more.
Tree 14 - 5 On It Foundation supporting 5 On It Foundation
5 On It Foundation is a charity in Milton Keynes that helps over 2500 children and young people a year by providing completely free hot meals and life-altering programmes using professional role models in sport and music to deliver a range of engaging activities and camps in team sports and creative arts.
Each programme is designed to convey a range of positive health and lifestyle messages to educate young people within the local community and help them build a better future.
The Foundation strives to establish credible relationships with all young people including those at risk from gangs or domestic violence.
Some of our programmes include Nutri Troops Golden Games for primary aged children and The Hang Out for young people.
Click here for more information.