Plasterer Lee Fisher will be out and about touring in his van collecting Christmas trees like he does every January.
It is very much a family affair for Lee whose wife Alex and mum Judith will join him on their road trip.
The Fishers are doing their bit for East Cheshire Hospice like dozens of other volunteers over the weekend of January 11 and 12.
Travelling far and wide picking up trees for recycling in lieu of a donation to the Hospice.
Volunteers Lee Fisher, mum Judith and wife Alex.
The next collection celebrates the 25th anniversary of an award-winning scheme which provides vital funds for patient care.
Lee, from Macclesfield, got involved 12 years ago through a link with co-founder Pete Chapman.
Lee said: “Pete’s son Rob is one of my best mates and he went round collecting Christmas trees for charity one year.
“That’s how it all started and once I got a bigger transit van for work Rob collared me and said, ‘you’re doing this tree collection.’
“I was happy to help. It’s my good deed for the year.
“I donate my van and don’t even ask for a penny in fuel. Hiring vans is a big cost which would have to come out of the pot for the Hospice.”
The Fishers’ route covers Prestbury, where Judith works part-time in the village pharmacy. Alex is an assistant head teacher at Dean Valley Community Primary School in Bollington.
Lee said: “I drive because Alex usually ends up doing some damage to the van. One year she drove into a pillar and that was pretty painful.
“Mum tells us where we’re going and I jump out with Alex and put the trees in the back of the van.
“We drop them off for mulching at West Park.
“Donations are made online and we get a booklet with all the information. It’s a good day and everyone is in high spirits.
“The scheme is extremely well run and Pete and his co-organiser Richard Raymond work so hard.
“The scheme won the Queen’s Award the other year which was well deserved.
“I grew up at the back of the Hospice. My gran used to knit blankets for them and our family know people who’ve been helped by the charity.”
Registrations are open at www.echtrees.org.uk
The collection covers postcode areas CW12, SK9, SK10, SK11, SK12 & WA16.
The scheme has also been a finalist twice in the National Recycling Awards.
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.
