The team that has planted more than 30,000 trees, hedges and orchards in Congleton, has been awarded for the project’s green credentials.
In the spring, Trees for Congleton was nominated for BBC Radio Stoke’s Make A Difference awards.
The team won the green category at a ceremony held at Stoke City FC’s Bet365 Stadium recently.
Patti Pinto, a team member from the inception of the project in autumn 2019, said: “The dedicated Trees for Congleton team of volunteers has delivered a wonderful project with the help of so many people over the last six years.
“We have been supported by Congleton Town Council, Congleton Partnership and Congleton Sustainability Group; funded by grants from Congleton Partnership, the Tree Council, the William Dean Trust and corporate and private donations.
“Residents, school children and many corporate volunteers have all joined in to plant almost 31,000 trees including hedges and 25 new orchards.”
Mrs Pinto added: “We believe we have made a real difference to the environment in Congleton and this green award is the icing on the cake.”
The planting target was reached earlier this year, the project’s aim having been to help combat climate change and increase biodiversity.
The panel of judges at the Make A Difference awards ceremony included Olympic gold medallist Bryony Page and former “Blue Peter” presenter Anthea Turner.
Other winners were Kevin Griffiths of Stoke-on-Trent who, as a stoma-user facing a terminal cancer diagnosis, collected the fundraiser award.
He set up the charity Cancer My Arse and uses his personal experiences to reduce the stigma associated with cancer and stomas.
The volunteers award was won by Ann Moorhouse, who after losing her husband in 2006, raised £5,000 in his memory for the Guide Dogs charity.
Almost 20 years on, Ms Moorhouse of Cheadle has raised more than £100,000 and regularly walks guide dogs for owners who would not be able to take them for runs in the countryside.
(Photo: BBC).
