Manchester based family business HMG Paints is supporting Francis House Children’s Hospice as they bring the magic of Christmas to a pop-up shop in Quayside MediaCityUK by filling it with 40 unique Christmas trees.

The Festival of Christmas trees is on display until December 10 and aims to encourage members of the public to place bids on the unique trees, each packed with vouchers, signed football shirts, hampers, vouchers and handmade gifts. Bids can be placed on each tree for five weeks in the run-up to Christmas, either in-store or online at: www.festivaloftrees.co.uk.

The independent paint manufacturer whose paints and coatings are seen across the country have joined a number of other businesses to help raise funds to support the remarkable work Francis House undertakes.

Members of the public can bid on HMG’s tree along with trees from other participants including The Cadbury Shop, Manchester City, Manchester United, JP Goldman, Cardinal Global Logistics, Beaverbrooks the Jewellers, Morrisons, Uplift Knitters, LIFT-Financial, Amaranth, DLA Piper, and more.

The annual project involves businesses, community groups and individuals coming together in the decoration of a one-off Christmas tree which will be auctioned off to raise funds for the Greater Manchester hospice.

Based in Didsbury, Francis House provides respite care, home care, end-of-life care and a range of other services to the families of children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
The event this year is sponsored by Towers Business Park and Quayside MediaCityUK.

Julie Williams, fundraising officer at Francis House said, “Anyone visiting the display is in for a real treat. With the help of our tree sponsors, there is something to tempt everyone to place a bid and be in with the chance of taking a truly unique tree home for Christmas.”

“We provide the tree and lights, and the rest is left up to the imagination of our fantastic sponsors. Cardinal Global Logistics have created a bright and beautiful Barbie tree and the Thomason family have put together two trees bursting with football, gaming and food and drink goodies. Eccles Cakes WI have showcased their creative skills with a ‘Twelve days of Christmas’ themed tree, featuring beautiful handmade Christmas decorations.”

A range of Christmas decorations, gifts and cards are also on sale in the shop along with the opportunity to win a raffle prize and take part in a lucky dip.

“As one of the charities chosen by our own staff, we’re proud to support the Festival of Trees, and we had great fun putting ours together,” said Gracienne Ikin, HMG Paints brand development and communications manager. “We really hope people take the time to visit the website and the pop-up store so the trees can raise a lot of money to support the work done by Francis House.”

With some trees fetching hundreds of pounds each it is hoped the event this year will exceed the £25,000 in profit raised in 2022. The shop can be found on the first floor of Quayside MediaCityUK, formerly the Lowry Outlet. The pop-up shop will remain open until Dec. 10, one week after bidding ends.