RNLI Whitstable volunteers and the team from A. Bird Tree Surgeons with Simon (right) who delivered his tree and those of neighbours to the chipping session held outside Whitstable lifeboat station on Sunday Photo: RNLI Chris Davey
With a bitterly cold wind, rain and sometimes sleet the volunteers at Whitstable lifeboat station needed something to warm them up after they spent Sunday morning and early afternoon holding the now annual Christmas tree chipping outside the station.
And that came along with the hot drinks with the news that the event had raised over £1,054 for station funds.
Whitstable RNLI’s Kellie Gray said,
“For the third year running, and again with the generous assistance of tree surgeons A. Bird Ltd, we held a Christmas tree chipping day outside the boathouse and despite the weather we had an excellent response to the scheme, with a steady stream of arrivals from 10.00 am.”
“Trees arrived from all directions, in cars, vans, in wheelbarrows or just dragged along as numerous residents battled the elements to deliver their seasonal firs to the team and Alex Bird’s chipping machine.”
Joint Chairman of the Whitstable Lifeboats fundraising team Pete Fenton said:
“Our thanks go as ever to A. Bird Ltd and to all those in Whitstable who chose to recycle their trees in support of Whitstable RNLI and the monies will go towards the continuing costs of operating the station and the training of our volunteer crews who last year responded to around 35-calls in the area covered by the Whitstable lifeboat.”