THE popular East Cheshire Hospice may have cancelled its annual Christmas Tree collection service fundraiser, but many people are still pledging their support.

The hospice was due to hold the scheme on January 9 to 10, but due to the country entering its third lockdown, the charity announced last week it wouldn't be doing so on safety grounds.

The campaign, which is entering its 21st year has so far raised £1.1 million for the charity, with the cancellation considered a potentially 'devastating blow'.

However, many people have since got in touch with the charity to maintain their pledges of support and donations, despite their trees not being able to be collected until restrictions are lifted.

A spokesman for the hospice said: "We are humbled and so grateful for your support at this time following the postponement of our collection.

"So many of you have left your donation to East Cheshire Hospice and this is very very much appreciated.

"To those of you who still have a tree to collect, our volunteers will be round just as soon as it is safe to do so.

"We are truly sorry that we have had to make this decision, but the safety of our community and all involved in making the collection happen must come first."

The funds raised during the Christmas Tree collection usually cover around three weeks of care at the hospice, so the gesture by people to honour their donations rather than request a refund has not been lost on the charity.

Due to the pandemic, the hospice has had a very challenging year when it comes to fundraising, with the last major event being the Christmas Tree Collection a year ago.

The spokesman added: "Thank you so many kind comments of support since the announcement of our postponement.

"If you would like us to keep your kind donation, you don’t need to do anything, and we thank you so much as this will make a real difference at this difficult time.

"If you would still like your tree to be collected, you don’t need to do anything either as we will be in touch when we have a new date.

"Thank you so much for your continued support, we wish you all a healthy lockdown."

For more information or to make a donation to the campaign, please head over to https://www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/echtrees/.