Dozens of customers have loyally supported the Christmas tree collection throughout its 25-year association with East Cheshire Hospice.
They are among more than 6,000 subscribers who will hopefully register again for the next collection on January 11 and 12 via www.echtrees.org.uk
The deadline is midnight on Tuesday, January 7.
Volunteers prepare for the 2020 tree collection.
Meanwhile, some of the 278 volunteers on the scheme’s database have helped since almost the start.
Co-founders Richard Raymond and Pete Chapman have overseen major changes over the years.
Pete said: “We’re a lot more advanced these days with hi-tec routing, mapping, social media and online payments.
“People had to put money in a plastic bag on trees until a few years ago. They also register online, whereas it used to be phone calls and messages.
“A van can now collect up to 200 trees a day, twice as many as before.”
Pete’s son Andy, an occupational therapist, introduced spreadsheets using Microsoft Works as part of a school project while studying IT.
The advent of green wheelie bins saw a potential threat become an opportunity.
Recycling trees at West Park depot.
Macclesfield Council backed the scheme, advertising on bins rather than encouraging homeowners to use them to recycle trees.
Crucially, other hospices tap into Pete and Richard’s expertise. Pete said: “We’ve documented everything we do, building a database accessed by more than 50 hospices. We collaborate and want everyone to run a successful collection.
“It means the system will live forever. Richard and I can’t do it forever, so we’ve created a library to hand on to our successors.
“We must thank our supporters, including local businesses, a lot of whom want to give anonymously.
“It means a lot to me that we also help volunteers whatever their physical ability. We’ll always find a role for them.
“We don’t just bring income to the Hospice. We also raise awareness in the local community, drawing in volunteers, encouraging recycling and attracting young people to the Hospice.
“There are more benefits than we ever dreamt of. The Hospice know year on year they’re going to get this money from the collection.
“It has done a fantastic job setting up Hospice @Home and we’d like to think we’ve played a small part by raising awareness of the Hospice.
“No-one had ever thought of a tree collection until we did – it came from one spark of a great idea. The scheme’s success gives us enormous pride.”
* Organisers still need large vans for the forthcoming collection. To help, contact 01625 433477 or email luke.oldham@echospice.org.uk
Back to all newsThank you so much for choosing to support East Cheshire Hospice. You may never know how much your gift means, but we know that it will make the world of difference to our patients and their families.
