Nearly 1,900 households from across the postcode areas CO1 to CO9, CO11 and CO13 to CO16 made generous donations to the charity in exchange for the collection and disposal of their real Christmas trees. 

An impressive 88 volunteers donned their high vis vests and hopped in their vans to collect the trees on Saturday 7th January and took them to Colchester Recycling Centre and Birch Airfield in Tendring, where they were recycled to prevent almost 2,000 real trees from ending up in landfill.

Jo Clarke, senior fundraiser at St Helena Hospice, said: “Thank you to everyone who made a donation and volunteered to help as part of our Christmas Tree-cycle. We are so thankful for the continued support we have received from the community; your help never fails to amaze us. All the money you have raised will help provide care and support to more patients and families facing incurable illness and bereavement across north east Essex.

“A big shout out to all the volunteers who gave up their time and provided vans to help us collect such a large amount of trees. We couldn’t do what we do without the dedication of our valued volunteers. We would also like to thank Colchester City Council, Tendring Borough Council, Birch Airfield and Love Essex for their support, and all the local companies who loaned us their vans for the day.

“We would also like to say a massive thank you to Tree & Lawn Company who sponsored Christmas Tree-cycle and donated their time and the use of their vans to help with the collection.” 

Peter Cannon, Owner and Managing Director of Tree & Lawn Company, added: “It has always been, and continues to be, our pleasure to support St Helena Hospice each year with the Christmas Tree-cycle campaign. The work they do day in and day out to help so many of us, deserves all the support they can get, and this is a way we at Tree & Lawn Company can show them our appreciation.”

St Helena Hospice will be providing the same Christmas Tree-cycle fundraising service again in January 2024 and registration will open later this year.