East Cheshire Hospice is hoping for another merry Christmas with sales of its festive cards. East Cheshire Hospice raises between £15,000 to £20,000 each year from supporters buying Christmas cards. The Hospice reluctantly halved its stock a year ago, with fewer locations open to sell cards during the pandemic.
But this year Christmas cards – costing £4 for packs of 10 – are available again at all usual outlets, along with pocket diaries at £2.
The items can be bought at the Hospice shops in Thornton Square, Macclesfield, Handforth and Poynton. Macclesfield Library and Wilmslow Library, along with Knutsford Cinema, are also now selling them until Saturday, December 4.
Cards can also be bought from the Hospice reception, although East Cheshire Hospice is requesting that customers only go there if necessary to keep visitor numbers to a minimum.
Cards can also be ordered via the Hospice’s website, or leaflets which have been distributed to supporters. Delivery charges will apply to cover admin costs for postal sales.
Commercial Manager Louise Delany said: “Our Christmas cards are always big sellers and are a great way to support the Hospice. “They’re excellent quality with nice designs and we’d urge customers to hurry up and buy them because certain designs do sell out quickly.
“We sold out quickly last year when we had to halve our order because of Covid. “We’re asking people to try to visit our shops, or libraries, if they want to buy cards in person.
“Of course, they’re still welcome to come into the Hospice on Millbank Drive, but we’re encouraging people only to come in if they can’t get to other locations.”
That message is echoed by Clair Close, a Hospice volunteer for 15 years. Clair, from Macclesfield, started off in the Hospice’s choir. For the last seven years she has helped on reception and is also an admin volunteer for the medical team.
Hospice volunteer Clair Close shows off the range of Christmas cards.
Clair said: “Our Christmas cards are always popular and we’ve already had a lot of interest this year. I enjoy volunteering here – it’s such a wonderful place and the money raised from the cards goes directly towards caring for our patients.”