Festival of Trees boughs out for another year

Hospice supporters who placed the winning bids in the annual auction of Christmas trees have now collected and re-erected their trees in homes and businesses far and wide, ready for the Christmas break.

Hundreds of people visited the magical display of trees at Francis House’s pop-up shop within Quayside MediaCity over a five-week period, purchasing festive merchandise and placing bids ranging from £70 to £550.

Every tree was sponsored by a local organisation, business or big brand, who provided decorations and gifts to make their trees stand out and entice big bids.

Julie Wiliams, Senior Fundraising Officer said “This project is the start of the festive season for Francis House. So many people are involved in making it a success; from our tree sponsors who put a great deal of generosity and thought into their gifts and decorations, to our staff and volunteers who work incredibly hard in the shop before, during and after its opening.

“It was heartening to see lots of bidders entering into the spirit of the festival, which has culminated in an incredible £24,553.00 raised for the hospice.”

Gwen Williams who lives in Anglesey was one of the lucky winning bidders, claiming two trees sponsored by 2 Little Ducks Community Group and Towers Business Park.

She said: “I really enjoyed taking part and couldn’t decide which one to bid on, so I bid on a few expecting to perhaps win one!  I now have two wonderful trees along with vouchers, toys and gifts.

“I run a nursery school so the 2 Little Ducks tree was perfect.  The tree was decorated with loads of toys and games and most importantly, I didn’t have to dress it myself – it was all done for me. The children love it and we can use all the toys in the nursery after Christmas.”

Hospice supporter Louise Gilbody, and ex Quayside MediaCityUK Customer Service Manager, was thrilled to discover she had the winning bid on a tree donated by Morrisons Reddish, Bredbury and Chorlton.

She said: “It was very exciting bidding on the tree, it was the tree theme that drew me towards that one. I’ve known about the Festival of Trees since I worked in the centre and I place a bid each year. When the deadline for placing bids arrived, I kept refreshing my phone to make sure I was the highest bidder. I think I got it with seconds to spare and I was really pleased to have ‘won’ it!

“Francis House really is the most amazing place and such a lifeline for the people who need to use it. I would definitely encourage everyone to have a look at the Festival of Trees next year; there are some really fab prizes that will appeal to all.”

Francis House would like to thank Quayside MediaCityUK, who each year donate a unit in the centre as well as supporting the charity all year round, plus all of the 2024 tree sponsors:

Morrisons, DLA Piper, Lowbury Construction Ltd, Manchester City Football Club, the Cash Family, Tesco East Didsbury, Apadmi Ltd, JP Goldman, Urmston and District WI, Swizzels Matlow Ltd, Worsley Rotary Club, My Learning File, Manchester United Foundation, Towers Business Park, Quayside MediaCityUK, Uplift Café & Knitting Group, The Cadbury Shop, 2 Little Ducks Community Group, Flock & Gaggle, Grosvenor Casino Stockport, Electric Blue Group, Taylor Wimpey, David Woodrow, The Lowry Theatre, Mary and Alan Gillett, Creative Lab, David Lloyd Trafford Park, Equans, The Alchemist, Media City and Hunter Price.

Francis House would also like to thank the team of corporate volunteers from CHEP UK Ltd who helped to put up the 36 Christmas trees and lights, plus the shop volunteers without whose help the Festival of Trees could not go ahead: Mary and Alan Gillett, Cheryl Thompson, Colette Smith, Jane Curzon, Peter Forster, Suzanne Astill, Charlotte Williams, Gaynor Taylor, Owen Thompson, Liza McGonagle, Diana Benjamin and Anna-Marie Stocks.