THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised by Rotarians hoping to light up the lives of people in need.

The Rotary Club of Derby has received donations of £2,150 over the past two months as part of its Trees of Light appeal.

The campaign, supported by the Evening Telegraph, gave people the opportunity to sponsor a bulb on one of several Christmas trees in the city centre.

The lights were either dedicated to the memory of relatives or friends or bought as gifts to mark a special occasion.

Almost 400 bulbs were sponsored, with the money split between a range of good causes.

Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre, in Skegness, and the Heart of Derby Appeal will each receive a third of the money. The Mayor of Derby's chosen charities – the Friends of Nightingale Macmillan Unit and the Derby branches of the Alzheimer's Society and Arthritis Care – will also get a share.

John Cheadle, chairman of the Rotary Club's community services committee, said: "Considering this is the first year that the Rotary Club of Derby has ever done this, we've done very well.

"It's also a pretty good total when you consider that times are difficult financially but the people of Derby still continue to give."

Bill Tomlinson, chairman of Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre, which provides week-long breaks for disadvantaged youngsters, said the money would make a real difference.

He said: "The funds will guarantee two-and-a-half holidays for children, which will help enrich the lives of at least two youngsters."

Julie Watson, manager of the Heart of Derby Appeal, said the money would go towards a £103,000 appeal for life-saving diagnostic equipment at the city's hospitals. She added: "For them to do something like this for us is fantastic and we are very grateful."

Mayor of Derby Barbara Jackson hopes the Trees of Light appeal will become an annual tradition.

A book listing the names of all those who have contributed, and to whom they have dedicated lights, will be at the Central Library, in the Wardwick, from the beginning of January.