Award for Christmas Tree recycler Pete

The volunteer organiser behind the UK’s largest charity Christmas tree recycling collection has been praised as an inspiration by Prime Minister David Cameron.

Pete Chapman, 56, from Prestbury, leads a team of volunteers each year – who’ve raised more than £500,000 for the East Cheshire Hospice over the last 17 years.

This year Peter and his 300 volunteers collected more than 6,000 trees – raising a staggering £75,000 for the Hospice.

In recognition of his efforts Pete has been given a Prime Minister’s Point of Light award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers and people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.

Pete launched the project in 1999 after identifying the huge number of Christmas trees that were being left out for recycling every January. He decided that this might present a real opportunity to raise money for charity – recycling the trees whilst asking for a small donation.

Initially all donations from his tree collections went to a children’s charity and St Peter’s Church in Prestbury. Later Pete expanded his operation into other areas – making East Cheshire Hospice the sole beneficiary.

Pete has said that his award is to be shared with all his team of volunteer.

He said: “I am proud and humbled to be given this award. The growth and success of the collection could not have been achieved without the dedication and commitment of a fantastic core team, particularly Richard Raymond, Tony Middleton and Andrew Robertson, and our dedicated volunteers. Our hospices provide essential and amazing care to many people with life limiting illnesses – we are very pleased to be able to support them.”

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Pete spotted the opportunity to create a service many of us need at this time of year that could raise significant funds for an important local cause.

“In the process he has united a brilliant team of 300 hundred dedicated volunteers as well as a number of generous local businesses. It is a fantastic initiative.”