St Wilfrid's launches popular Christmas Tree Recycling scheme for fourth year in a row

The charity's events fundraiser Nathan Evans told V2 Radio about how you can get involved - even if you don't have a tree

St Wilfrid's have launched their popular Christmas tree recycling scheme for the fourth year in a row.

The fundraiser, which raised over £12,500 last year, is set to raise funds to support those in palliative care across the community. As well as saving locals time by disposing their trees for them, the fundraiser helps the environment, with each Evergreen being reworked into wood chippings, composts and top soils.

Nathan Evans, the charity's Events Fundraiser, told V2 Radio that knowing nothing gets wasted is one of his "favourite things about the whole project."

"It's a great way at Christmas time to give something back as well, so it's hugely popular. Most people have done it in one year and carried on with us."

The collections take place within the first weekend in January, beginning on the 7th and ending on the 10th. Each donation goes "straight back into the palliative care that the hospice offers."

Nathan explains that this means money go not only for the people "looked after with the end-of-life care on our ward at the hospice, but also out in the community with all our amazing community team helping people in their own homes."

There's also room for people with reusable Christmas trees to get involved:

"We need at least 50 volunteers for this project," Nathan admits. 

"Without that, the project isn't viable - that would be the most amazing way that you can get involved."

He goes on to say that St Wilfrid's are looking for volunteers to help collect trees, to be based at collection points, to drive vans or even donate their own vehicle to be used in the scheme. 

Bookings have already opened for households based in PO18, PO19, PO20, PO21 and PO22, and those looking to get involved elsewhere are asked to email fundraising@stwh.co.uk. Registration closes on January the 4th.

"We have a suggested donation amount of £15, but you can give what you can."

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