What a tree-mendous boost for Trinity Hospice funds

The collection across Blackpool and Fylde raised a record £23,000 through donations.

That’s the ideal tonic for the Bispham-based hospice which has been facing a £1.5m revenue shortfall because of fund-raising events cancelled during the Covid pandemic.

Janet Atkins, Trinity’s corporate partnerships manager (pictured inset), said: “We are absolutely thrilled with how the collections went.

“We were really lucky with the weather, and we had such wonderful volunteers who worked so hard, some over both days, to collect Christmas trees from across the Fylde coast.

“Here at the hospice, we worked hard to make sure our volunteers were safe at all times, and we’re thankful to everyone who made a donation and organised a collection for having their trees outside their homes in good time for us to pick them up.

“Huge thanks to our sponsors Easthams Solicitors, Ameon and Slater Gordon, as well as to Blackpool Council and Fylde Council, whose help and organisation both in the run-up to the event and over the weekend itself we just couldn’t do without.

“A particular mention for Gareth Matthews from Fylde Council who on top of organising the depot and base, also collected trees.

“We are just overwhelmed with the support we have seen from our community, not only for our annual tree collection but throughout the whole pandemic.

“The fact that this has been our best year to date for donations shows that people living in Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde really are behind their local hospice.

“With their continued support, we can be there for everyone who needs us, through Covid and beyond.”

Among the volunteers was Fylde Council leader Coun Karen Buckley, who said: “I was delighted to join the volunteers to fill our trailer with trees from addresses around Ansdell.

"The residents were thrilled to be part of the scheme, knowing their donations were helping Trinity and their used trees were being recycled.

"Thanks to all the staff and volunteers for their support.”

The collected trees will be among those planted at St Annes beach next month to help with dunes preservation and soft sea defence.

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