Hospice charity Christmas tree recycling scheme raises £17,000 thanks to Notts households and businesses

More than 1,000 trees were collected from homes and businesses across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire in return for donations to Treetops Hospice Care.

Hospice spokeswoman Laura McWha said: “Every year the number of trees we collect – and the donations we receive – goes up and this has been our best year yet.

“This year, we were able to expand the postcode collection so even more households could benefit from having their tired and worn-out Christmas trees removed and recycled.”

The ‘treecycling’ scheme is now in its fifth year and its growing success owes a lot to its commercial supporters.

Laura said: “We’ve had wonderful support from the local business community to make this such a success.

“Alongside our own Treetops minibus and furniture van getting out and about, businesses including Vaillant Group, S&F Maintenance, Virgin Media, Repton Security and Canopy Trees have all lent us their vans and encouraged their staff to volunteer.”

She added: “Ward has once again been generous enough to donate skips for the huge operation and Maple Tree Care have been collecting and recycling all of the trees.

“This year, we also have Silver X to thank for overseeing the logistics of the week. We really couldn’t do this without everyone’s help.”

The money will go to fund Treetops’ nursing care and emotional support for adults with life-limiting conditions, those who have been bereaved, and their families.

The charity has continued to provide adapted services during the pandemic but many of its usual sources of income have dried up.

Laura said: “During the national lockdowns, we have to close all our retail shops and cancel major fundraising events, which has a big impact on us financially.

“We want to be there for our patients when they need us the most and it’s through schemes like Treecycling that we can continue to do that.”

She added: “Huge thanks to everyone who’s been involved this year. we’re looking forward to an even more successful scheme in 2022.”

To make a donation to the Treetops COVID-19 appeal, visit treetopshospice.org.uk/appeal​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.

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