Does anyone still have a Christmas tree that needs collecting?
True to its word East Cheshire Hospice is keeping a promise to pick up trees registered under its collection scheme.
The service had to be postponed once Cheshire went back into lockdown at the start of the year.
The vast majority of donors refused the offer of a refund to help the Hospice financially.
Some even contributed even though they were not among more than 6,000 registrations for the tree collection.
The collection is now scheduled for the week of April 19 following the easing of restrictions, though plans would be reviewed if the government road map out of lockdown changes.
The team are contacting supporters asking if they still have a tree for collection. A date will be arranged that week once numbers and locations are known.
Staff at the Ansa recycling plant in West Park in 2019.
Community Fundraiser Carley Macey said: “It’s impossible to tell at this point how many remaining trees need collecting. That’s why we’re sending out an email to figure out how many vans and volunteers we need.
“If you no longer need your tree collecting please do nothing and we’ll assume that anyone who doesn’t complete the form no longer requires collection.
“We want to thank everyone for their patience. This has been an extremely difficult situation for the collection organisers, volunteers and the Hospice. With so many people involved in making the collection happen, the safety of everyone must be our top priority.”
Christmas Tree Collection team are aware that 66 people have disposed of their own tree so far. Â The delayed collection is for trees already registered and no new registrations can be taken.
Supporters’ generosity means the tree campaign alone has already paid for 20 days of care so far. It costs £7,500 a day for the charity to provide its services free of charge.
Carley said: “We received such an encouraging response when we announced our decision to postpone.
“While we did receive some requests for a refund, we also saw such generosity from our community from additional donations made towards the collection and the Hospice.
“We’re so incredibly grateful and humbled by these gestures and while we celebrate the amount raised, it also puts into perspective the funds we need to generate all the time.”
* To get your registered tree collected, or make a donation, visit www.echtrees.org.uk
Volunteers before the2020 Christmas tree collection.
