Crop of Christmas trees leads to funding boost for St Nicholas Hospice Care

Collecting and recycling a bumper crop of Christmas trees has raised much-needed funds for a local charity.

In a break from their usual activities St Nicholas Hospice Care’s house clearance team had a busy start to the New Year thanks to their Christmas tree collection service.

The team of four had their hands full as they picked up around 300 trees from homes across the Bury St Edmunds area.

Staff spent time early last week driving around the town and surrounding villages collecting old trees from people’s doorsteps with residents, if they would like to, making a donation for the service which saved them a trip to the tip.

Through donations, some of which included Gift Aid, the team were able to raise £1,800 for the hospice which provides care and support for those in the final chapters of their lives across West Suffolk and Thetford.

Darren Devine, the hospice’s house clearance and retail support manager, said: “We are all so pleased with how well this year’s Christmas tree collection service has gone. Last year we ran the scheme for the first time and managed to raise £900, to have raised £1,800 this year really is fantastic.

“The great thing about this service is that people have been able to support the hospice and had the hassle of what to do with their Christmas tree after the festive season taken away.”

All the trees which were collected, the biggest being 20ft, were taken to Culford Waste, where thanks to the firm’s generosity they were recycled at no charge to the hospice.

“We are so grateful to Culford Waste for once again agreeing to support this service. There support means that all the funds raised from this initiative will help the charity continue to care for people we help across the community,” added Darren.

Following their festive clean-up efforts the house clearance team will be returning to their day-to-day activities. If you are interested in the service you can call 01284 747622 to book a free quotation or email houseclearance@stnh.org.uk

Pictured above are members of the hospice’s house clearance team dropping off some of the trees at Culford Waste.