A TREE-PLANTING ceremony was held to mark both a charity organisation’s centenary year and its receiving the Freedom of the City of Liverpool.

For the past 100 years, Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services – better known as LCVS – has been supporting the work of the city’s voluntary and community sector, which today numbers 1,000 different groups.

At a ceremony held at St George’s Hall yesterday, it was admitted to the Freedom Roll of Associations – the highest honour the city can award. A tree was also planted in St John’s Gardens, the first 100 of which have been given away by LCVS to voluntary and charity groups to be planted across the city in support of Liverpool’s Year of the Environment.

Sue Newton, chair of LCVS Trustees, said: “The world has changed so much since we were established on November 5, 1909, with two world wars and the beginning of the welfare state.

“But we are still doing what we were set up to do 100 years ago, which is support the voluntary and community sector.

“Their range and impact has been enormous, working to provide help and support to citizens in need in Liverpool.”

Ms Newton said the tree-planting project was a “great way to give something back to the environment.”

The tree-planting ceremony was attended by members of the different charity groups supported by LCVS, along with the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Mike Storey.

Liverpool council leader Cllr Warren Bradley, who was also present, said: “The admission to the Freedom Roll of Associations is the highest honour the city can give to an association or institution.

“I am immensely proud of the service LCVS give to the city. They are a worthy recipient of the accolade.”