Leeds gardener Reese Fletcher launches third fundraiser to buy £50k of gifts for underprivileged children

Gardening and fencing firm boss Reese Fletcher, 30, started a fundraiser during the pandemic in 2020, turning piles of leftover wood into more than 800 Christmas trees. The trees were sold to raise cash more than £3,600 for Christmas presents - and in 2021 they made a whopping £10,5000.

This year, Reese has set a target of £50,000, selling the wooden trees and raising funds on a JustGiving page.

Reese said: “Last year we thought why not try again but let’s try and double last year’s total. We ended up raising a mega £10,500, we hit various news platforms and social media and it was crazy.

“This year we are setting the bar mega high and going to aim for a crazy 50k. We are still doing the trees again but this [JustGiving page] has been set up for the people who can’t get the trees who may still like to donate and help us reach our target.”

Reese, whose motto is ‘it’s nice to be nice’, said he was sparked into action after being touched by a video highlighting underprivileged children. He decided to knock up some Christmas trees using timber from his firm Fletcher's Fencing, Decking and Garden Maintenance.

In 2021, the team filled a staggering 22 trolley in Smyth's Toy Shop and spent £2,000 on bikes to make sure disadvantaged youngsters had a present to open on Christmas Day.