The scheme involves local residents making a donation in return for their real Christmas trees to be collected and recycled. Not only was a record amount raised but, in its fifth year, a record number of real trees were collected – over 1600 in total.

Undaunted by a very early start or the very foggy and wet conditions, a team of over 60 volunteers worked hard to bring in all the trees. The scheme is made possible by the support of local businesses and organisations including Warrington Borough Council, BT Skips, Golden Gates Housing Trust, SP Energy Networks, Jewson, VPS, Trinity Facilities Management, Urban Building Projects and Asda. With a record number to collect, the volunteers were still going as darkness began to fall.

“It’s fantastic that our tree collection has proved so popular once again,” said Lauren Tilston, Fundraising Manager at St. Rocco’s, “We’re really grateful to Warrington residents for continuing to support vital patient care at St. Rocco’s in this way. We’d also like to say a big thank you to the organisations involved and especially to our wonderful team of volunteers, without whom our tree collection could not happen.”