Festival of Trees festive finale

The 2025 Festival of Trees ends on a high with all Christmas trees finding new homes.

Four people stood and kneeling next to a decorated Christmas tree — Taylor Wimpey were among the 30 Christmas tree sponsors

Another fun and festive effort by the community helped the Francis House Festival of Trees raise a fantastic £27,107.00.

Grateful thanks to event sponsor Kennedy Wilson and to Quayside MediaCityUK for their continued support in hosting our pop-up shop completely free of charge.

Football supporters, make-up addicts, fans of Wicked, mums-to-be, and LEGO lovers all found a tree to love in our fabulous selection this year.

Julie Wiliams, Senior Fundraising Officer said “We just love this project. It is the start of the festive season for Francis House. I would like to thank all our tree sponsors, auction winners, shop customers, staff and volunteers as this project would not be a success without them.”

Assorted decorations and knitted items on rows of Christmas trees

Rows of Christmas trees decorated with lights, baubles and gifts in a shop lined up against a white wall

Christmas soft toys and books on a table in a shop displaying Christmas trees

Shop window display of Christmas themed wishing well, soft toys and snow balls.

The auction of 30 Christmas trees packed with gifts proved as popular as ever with the public placing bids ranging from £70 to £550 over a five week period in the run up to Christmas.

Equans UK, provider of sustainable facilities management and regeneration, packed their tree with hampers of goodies and gift vouchers.

Hannah Wilford of Equans said: “Equans is proud to sponsor a Christmas tree for Francis House Children’s Hospice, helping support the vital care they provide to children, young people and their families. Our Media City team is passionate about giving back and is actively involved in fundraising for charities across the North West. By purchasing gifts and decorations and creating a themed tree to be auctioned to the public, we were able to contribute directly to the hospice’s essential work and help raise much‑needed funds for families in need.”

The Festival of Trees shop opened on October 25 to the delight of shoppers keen to browse the thirty Christmas trees on display and purchase festive bargains of decorations, toys, gifts, Christmas cards and knitted items.

Woman giving a thumbs up and smiling at the camera stood next to a Christmas tree with crackers and baubles — Julie Algie collecting her tree.

Bidding closed on December 7, when excited bidders were notified of their winning bids. Among them hospice supporter and Francis House parent Julie Algie, was thrilled to discover she had the winning bid on the ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ tree.

Julie said: “It is fun bidding on a tree and knowing that the money is going to a great cause.”

Francis House would like to thank all of the 2025 tree sponsors.

DLA Piper, Lowbury Construction Ltd, Bounce Central, Cardinal Partnership, Manchester City Football Club, the Cash Family, Tesco East Didsbury, Apadmi Ltd, JP Goldman, Rotary Club Worsley, My Learning File, Manchester United Foundation, Towers Business Park, Quayside MediaCityUK, Uplift Café & Knitting Group Stretford, The Cadbury Shop, 2 Little Ducks Community Group, Flock & Gaggle, Grosvenor Casino Stockport, Francis House Children’s Hospice, Electric Blue Group, Taylor Wimpey, Mary and Alan Gillatt, Creative Lab, Equans, Chris and Caroline Gasgoine, Lauren’s Little Stars and Rudy’s Pizza.

We would also like to thank our corporate volunteers from Horwich Farrelly and Chep, plus volunteer supporters Mary and Alan Gillatt, Cheryl Thompson, Colette Smith, Jane Curzon, Peter Forster, Suzanne Astill, Charlotte Williams, Gaynor Taylor, Liza McGonagle, Pauline Blackwell and Helen Hennessey. We really couldn’t manage to open the shop without you!