Christmas tree recycling supports local hospice

Over £23,000 has been raised to support babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions.

This was thanks to supporters who recycled their Christmas tree with Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) this year.

Poppy Harrop, Area Fundraiser for CHSW, said: “There was a fantastic response to our ‘treecycle’ campaign this year and it’s been wonderful to turn so many Christmas trees into much-needed funds that will help make a huge difference to local families at the most difficult of times. We were delighted to collect and recycle 1,245 trees this year, which has raised an incredible £23,206. These vital funds will ensure that we can continue to support families when they need it most.”

The charity joined forces with waste and recycling firm, Biffa, to collect trees in January, where people were able to book a collection in return for a donation to CHSW.

Supporters of the charity could simply leave their real Christmas trees outside their house to be picked up in return for a donation.

The scheme not only took the hassle out of what to do with a tree once Christmas was over but also raised funds for their local children’s hospice.

The collected trees have been turned into chippings to be used in the gardens at CHSW’s hospices as well as parks across the South West.

Poppy continued: “Thank you so much to everyone who booked in a tree for collection. We’d love to be able to roll out the service to even more postcode areas in the future. It is such an easy, green and charitable way to support our hospices. We’d also like to thank the team at Biffa for generously donating their time and vehicles to help us collect the trees – we are very grateful for their support.”

If you would like to read some inspiring family stories and see how the money raised helps to support babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, please visit www.chsw.org.uk/familystories.