East Cheshire Hospice was delighted to receive £342 from Congleton Rotary from funds raised by Congleton's first Tree of Light.

Rotary had agreed to give 50% of the proceeds from the sale of stars for the tree to the hospice, with the remaining going to Rotary for their good causes.

Carley Macey, Community Fundraiser for East Cheshire Hospice, accepted the cheque on behalf of the hospice.

She said: "We receive less than 17% of our running costs from the Government, and every day we need to raise over 80% of our running costs.

"It is fantastic that Congleton Rotary chose to support the hospice and I'd like to thank everyone in Congleton who purchased a star."

Rod Goodier, President of Congleton Rotary, added: "In 2019 Rotarian Alan Parton suggested that we should introduce a Tree of Light for Congleton as a way of remembering loved ones that were not with us at Christmas.

"We worked closely with the town council and was pleased that so many local people joined in the scheme. We are hoping to have a Tree of Light for 2020 and are currently negotiating a permanent location for a Christmas Tree to make the event more sustainable."

The Tree of Light was located in Lawton Street from the 5th December 2019 until the 6th January 2020. It contained 131 stars purchased by local people for £5.

If anyone would like to get involved with delivering or sponsoring the Tree of Light project for 2020 please speak to a member of Congleton Rotary or Jackie MacArthur at Congleton Town Council on 01260 270350 ext 3.