More than 1,300 real Christmas trees have been collected from homes across Bedfordshire and surrounding areas, raising over £21,000 to support Sue Ryder’s palliative and bereavement care.
Sue Ryder’s Christmas Treecycling Scheme (Bedfordshire and Borders) saw 1,382 trees picked up from front doors, gardens and driveways by volunteers and local business teams, raising £21,035 through optional donations.
The charity says the money will help it reach more people “when they really need it, so no one is left to die or grieve alone”.
Benefit to farms and woodlands
All the trees collected locally will be recycled. They will be turned into chippings for use on farms, where goats and pigs will enjoy them, and on woodland pathways at Jordans Mill.
Sue Ryder says residents who signed up have not only supported its care but also helped the environment by making sure real trees are reused rather than thrown away.
Nick Burr, senior community fundraiser at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, said: “We want to say an enormous thank you to everyone who signed up and helped our Christmas Tree Recycling scheme flourish.
“By choosing to recycle your real tree with an optional donation to Sue Ryder, your Christmas tree has become the gift of expert care, advice and compassion for those living with serious illness, death and grief.
“Your participation helps us be there for more people during the most challenging times of their lives.”
Volunteer power
The charity says the scheme relies entirely on volunteers, with around 78 people giving their time to help with collections this year.
Nick added, “The success of the Sue Ryder Christmas Treecycling scheme relies entirely on the power of volunteers.
Thank you to all the businesses and individuals who helped with the collections: Autoglass, Bedford Battery, Welch Group, Gary’s Gardening Services, HBC Logistics, Kite Utility, M & DH Insurance, Amey, Mint Construction, Paul Brown Garden Maintenance, and Will Colebrook.
“And also, Landscaping, Michael Scott, Skanska, Walters, Nightingale Farm, New Farm, Growing Beds, Jordans Mill and Bartlett Tree Services.”
Last year, Sue Ryder provided palliative and bereavement care to thousands of families across the country, including those supported by its hospice and community teams at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice.
Its bereavement support includes an online community forum and new Grief Kind Spaces.
Locals wanting to find out more about fundraising events can contact the Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice fundraising team on 01767 642424 or email stjohns.events@sueryder.org.
Further information about the charity is available at www.sueryder.org.
