Thatcham tree project raises cash for charities

And in the process she has raised more than £180 for two charities.
Vickie Smith, who is a 32-year-old mother of four, came up with the idea of the project about a year ago and has been working on it since October.
She asked parents to donate a minimum of 50 per name and these names were then hand -embroidered onto separate leaves for the tree which now hangs in St Mary's Church in Church Gate.
Mrs Smith, who was formerly a science teacher but now runs her own sewing business - Knowing Sewing - said: "The idea behind the project is as a reminder of just how special all our children are, and in memory of my baby twins who were stillborn in 2009.
"Many of the names collected are children in Thatcham, or children who have links to the local area."
More than 100 people attended the launch of the tree which took place on April 9.
Mrs Smith added: "There has been a lot of labour, it was definitely worthwhile though.
"It looks really good and both my twins have their names on it.
"It's really nice that it will be hung in the church."
Although she did most of the work herself, she was helped out by her friends Jemma Carpenter and Sam Carpenter and her mother, Jackie Knight.
The money raised will be split equally between two charities - SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society) and Daisy's Dream which supports children and their families who have been affected by the life threatening illness or bereavement of someone close to them.