A 'tree-mendous' success for West Sussex hospice's recycling scheme
The money will go towards its continued delivery of compassionate care to families and their love ones facing terminal illness.
A Christmas tree recycling scheme, set up by a West Sussex hospice, has raised more than £17,500.
Volunteers from St Wilfrid's Hospice in Chichester collected 1450 trees from across the county between the 6th and 20th of January, in return for a donation.
Having teamed up with Chichester District Council and the Woodhorn Group, the recycled trees will now be used by the Woodhorn Group to create their range of Earth Cycle composts and topsoil’s, perhaps feeding the Christmas trees of the future.
St Wilfrid’s Hospice Chief Executive Alison Moorey said:
“A massive thank you to the several dozen volunteers who helped us recycle over double the trees we collected last year.
"We’re so glad so many local residents embraced the scheme which was especially valued in lockdown, and we’re pleased to have been able to engage in a sociably distant way with the local community we proudly serve.”
All the proceeds raised will go toward the continued delivery of compassionate care to families and their love ones facing terminal illness. These funds alone are enough to fund a ward bed for over a month or provide over 55 home visits by a St Wilfrid’s Community Nurse.
Councillor Penny Plant, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Contract Services at Chichester District Council, said:
“We would like to thank everyone who recently supported the St Wilfrid’s Christmas Tree Recycling scheme.
"We are really pleased to have partnered with the charity to help our residents recycle as many trees as possible while also supporting a fantastic local cause that is very close to our hearts.
Together, we have prevented over 1,450 trees going to general waste, helping to increase recycling and keeping our district greener for the future.”
The hospice said it would like to give a special thanks to Panther Van Hire and 121 Systems who provided route planning services and helped to make the scheme a success.
If you would like to support or volunteer for St Wilfrid’s Hospice their website here or call 01243 755827 for more info.