The annual Christmas tree collection organised by East Cheshire Hospice is set to return for a major fundraising weekend in Macclesfield. This beloved community initiative, which has raised more than £2 million over a quarter of a century, sees volunteers collect and recycle real trees in exchange for donations that go directly towards patient care.
Navigating a Busy Weekend in Macclesfield
Organisers face the added challenge of significant traffic this year, with Macclesfield FC scheduled to host FA Cup holders Crystal Palace in a lunchtime tie on Saturday. To ensure smooth operations, the team has meticulously planned the routes for their fleet of collection vans to avoid the worst of the congestion.
Volunteer marshals, including Katherine Beswick, Annabel Hipkins, James Bunker, Karen McLoughlin, Howard Stringer, and Richard Bunker, will be out in force. The operation kicks off at first light, with teams departing from the Hospice to cover the local area.
A Quarter-Century of Green Fundraising Success
The campaign is poised for another successful year, buoyed by public donations and commercial sponsorship. A key feature is that every single penny donated by residents for tree collection goes directly towards patient care, thanks to sponsors covering the operational costs.
Last year's effort, which was delayed a week due to severe winter weather, still managed to raise an impressive £160,000. This contribution pushed the total funds generated by the scheme past the £2 million milestone.
Environmental Impact and Community Spirit
The environmental benefit of the scheme is significant. Collected trees are taken to the Ansa recycling depot at West Park and Swift Tree Services in Adlington. There, they are mulched and recycled for use as biomass fuel, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
This dual focus on community support and sustainability earned the Hospice a prestigious social value award at the National Recycling Awards in November, highlighting the project's wider positive impact.
While the official registration deadline was Wednesday, the Hospice is urging any residents who have not yet booked their collection to get in touch to see if arrangements can still be made. Bookings and queries can be directed via the official website at www.echtrees.org.uk, by email to echtrees@echospice.org.uk, or by calling 01625 708939.
