Month: January 2025

Every tree collected by East Cheshire Hospice volunteers this weekend (Jan 11-12) will be recycled for biomass fuel.

The Christmas trees will be transported to Adlington-based Swift Tree Services before they are taken to be turned into renewable energy.

This will be the third year of Swift’s involvement, with the tree specialists playing an increasing role – all at their own expense.

Swift machinery will be processing trees again ready for biomass fuel.

Most trees will still be mulched at the Ansa recycling depot at West Park by CRJ Services which will provide its resources for free as in previous years.

The mulch is then transported to the Swift site ready to start the biomass process.

Meanwhile, volunteers covering Poynton, Wilmslow and Bollington can take trees directly to Swift’s depot saving the journey to Macclesfield.

Swift will also send members of its seven-strong team to Disley to collect trees and chip them by the roadside.

Swift co-director Stephen Warner said: “Disley is a long way for the volunteers to go to back and forth and you don’t get many trees in a van to return to West Park.

Swift volunteers (from left) Adam Lawson, Stephen Warner and Ben Mason helping at last year’s collection.  

“We’ll look after Disley and by mobile-chipping can get it done in one trip.

“We wanted to be involved because broadly speaking it’s kind of what we do. We have trucks and woodchippers, we’re used to processing trees and it’s a brilliant charity to support.

“We offered our machinery and yard to see if we could help and it’s gone from strength to strength over a couple of years.

“Our location saves a lot of driving to West Park for mulching for some collections. They can bring the trees to us and we’ll chip them here.”

Woodchip is then sold for biomass fuel with proceeds donated to the appeal.

Stephen said: “It’s not mega money but the sale of woodchip will probably bring in between £1,500 and £2,000 to be added to the appeal and donated to the Hospice.

“It’s the 25^th anniversary of the scheme and what co-founders Richard Raymond and Pete Chapman have achieved is incredible.

“Everyone knows about the Hospice’s wonderful work – we all know people whose loved ones have been cared for there.

“We’re delighted to be involved. Our team give their time for free, like all the volunteers.

“We only have a small role, but it’s lovely to be part of it. Community involvement is a hugely important part of our company culture.”