RECYCLING Christmas trees raised a phenomenal £36,000 for St Luke's Hospice last year.

Now, after losing so much income through the pandemic, volunteers are hoping families will once again support their festive project.

Andy Bailey, corporate partnerships manager for St Luke’s, said: “The Christmas tree collection is a brilliant fundraiser for us and "After a difficult year which has seen our fundraising events cancelled and our charity shops closed, we’re hoping that this year’s collection will exceed last year’s amazing success and raise some much needed funds for us.”

Registration for the annual Christmas tree collection is now open.

Volunteers collected more than 3,000 trees in just four days last year.

Northwich Guardian: Volunteers Rachel Hughes and Stuart Forbes joined 45 teams of staff, volunteers and local organisations to collect Christmas trees last yearVolunteers Rachel Hughes and Stuart Forbes joined 45 teams of staff, volunteers and local organisations to collect Christmas trees last year

Volunteers Rachel Hughes and Stuart Forbes joined 45 teams of staff, volunteers and local organisations to collect Christmas trees last year

In a meticulously planned operation, 45 teams of staff, volunteers and local organisations visited homes across Winsford, Middlewich, Northwich and Holmes Chapel to collect trees in return for a donation.

St Luke’s Christmas tree collection is kindly sponsored by Redrow Homes, for the third year running. Redrow’s generous contribution covers all of the hospice’s costs, maximising the amount of donations which go directly towards patient care.

The Christmas tree collection is delivered in conjunction with JustHelping, a charity which brings communities together to support good causes.

Households across the CW1 to CW11 postcode district – including Northwich, Winsford, Middlewich and Holmes Chapel – can register now to have their tree collected in the New Year, by visiting just-helping.org.uk