VOLUNTEERS are out in force across South Cumbria today, collecting and recycling Christmas trees to raise funds for a hospice.
Eight teams of people are visiting properties across the area, from Millom to Coniston, for St Mary's Hospice and its annual tree collection.
The volunteers are removing trees from houses, removing the hassle of visiting the tip and the awful mess of pines needles in cars for homeowners in exchange for a minimum £5 donation.
Marc Charnley, owner of Crooklands Garden Centre in Dalton, was one of those involved, offering his business as a meeting and recycling base for the team.
He said: "We support them every year. It's a great team effort.
"The volunteers come here for bacon sandwiches in the morning and then they set off in different directions."
The volunteers will collect and then chip more than 200 trees today, and hope to raise more than £2,000 and beat last year's figure.
For more, see Monday's Evening Mail.
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