EAST CHESHIRE HOSPICE CHRISTMAS TREE COLLECTION

That this House congratulates the 200 volunteers and the organisers Richard Raymond and Peter Chapman of the East Cheshire Hospice 2009 Christmas tree collection, which was carried out on the weekend of 10 and 11 January 2009; notes that this valuable and worthwhile environmental initiative raised well in excess of £41,000 this year for the East Cheshire Hospice; further notes that more than £150,000 has been raised since the Christmas tree collection service was first suggested and established in 1999 by the Chapman family of Prestbury; expresses its thanks to Macclesfield Borough Council, its staff and volunteers for their continuing co-operation and assistance with the scheme; regrets that the East Cheshire Hospice cannot claim Gift Aid on the monies collected by the annual scheme; and calls on the Government to amend the Gift Aid rules to permit payments and donations in respect of such collection services to be the subject of Gift Aid.