National Trust Christmas Gifts That Make a Real Difference

SWINDON, England, Dec. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- National Trust is urging shoppers to forget those unwanted Christmas jumpers, socks or candles and think red squirrels and large blue butterflies this Christmas when searching for the perfect present for that difficult-to-buy-for family member or the friend that has everything.

National Trust virtual gifts help to raise much needed cash for a wide range of conservation projects and could help solve the annual what-to-buy-for-Christmas headache.

Money raised in previous years has helped to fund an important research project at Formby to help secure the survival future of red squirrels.

David Bullock, head of Nature Conservation at the National Trust, said: "Money raised through the generosity of people buying virtual gifts for family and friends allows us to make projects happen and can make a real difference to our wildlife work."

There are a wide range of gifts available which help support the National Trust in its work to protect the coast and in the countryside.

The array of Christmas gifts for outdoor lovers available come in all shapes and sizes, so that while spending hours hunting for Christmas presents can make some shoppers see red, a simple 10 pounds Sterling present to help save red squirrels or an apple tree to save UK orchards may be just the right gift which will protect the environment too.

For the ultimate Christmas gifts for nature lovers there is even the option of a luxurious bat hotel at 2,000 pounds.  This five star hot box will be installed in the roof voids at one of the National Trust's stately homes to help the rare horseshoe bats and their pups keep nice and warm.

The recipient of the virtual gift will receive a beautifully designed greetings card and details of the gift that has been bought for them.

Notes to editors:

About National Trust:

The National Trust is a charity with a love for preserving historic places and spaces across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  National Trust protects over 350 historic houses, 160 gardens, 1,100 kilometres of coastline, 254,000 hectares of land of outstanding natural beauty, 6 World Heritage Sites, 28 castles and 60 pubs - which are all open to the public to enjoy.

The National Trust is one of the most important nature conservation organisations in Europe with over 1,000 sites, including coastal, woodland and upland areas; many of which are rich in wildlife.  All 17 species of UK bat have been recorded as roosting or breeding on National Trust land and 96 per cent of all resident UK butterflies can be found on its land.

SOURCE The National Trust