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We help people in north east Essex face incurable illness and bereavement, supporting them, their families, friends and carers.

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A third of our funding comes from the NHS, the remaining two thirds is raised from the generosity and support of people like you.

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Christmas Tree-cycle 2026

Christmas Tree-cycle 2026

9th

JAN

2026

CO1 to CO9 and CO11 to CO16

9th January - 11th January

Registration deadline: 4th January

 

Event information

Nothing beats a real tree at Christmas time. But when the festive period is over, and the decorations are down, what do you do with what’s left?

St Helena Hospice is here to help! The Christmas Tree-cycle, part of our Let it Glow Christmas campaign, allows you to ethically and sustainably dispose of your real Christmas tree, whilst supporting local hospice care.

Register your tree
 
 

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How does it work?

  • The Christmas Tree-cycle is open to anyone who lives within postcodes CO1-CO9, and CO11-CO16.

  • Register for the Christmas Tree-cycle by 4th January 2026 to have your tree collected by one of our volunteers between 9th-11th January 2026. 

  • We will gratefully receive any donation you can make in return for collecting your tree. 

  • All donations will go towards supporting St Helena Hospice, and the vital work we do to help local people and their families, as they face dying, death and bereavement.
Register now

View the Christmas Tree-cycle terms & conditions here.

This Christmas, do something amazing and keep those warm festive feelings glowing for even longer. A donation to St Helena Hospice is a light in the darkness of the coldest months of the year, at a time when those facing dying, death and bereavement need it most. So, let’s Let it Glow this Christmas, for the people we love.

What happens to my tree?

When you recycle your real Christmas tree via the Christmas Tree-cycle, we pass it on to one of a number of grateful recipients. Your tree will either become mulch, compost or food and enrichment activities for animals at local farms and animal sanctuaries. 

When you donate via the Christmas Tree-cycle, you can be sure that your tree will be put to good, sustainable use.

Register for the Christmas Tree-cycle

How else can I get involved?

If you would like to help us deliver our Christmas Tree-cycle, you can get involved as a volunteer. You could help us by becoming a driver, a tree collector, or even partnering your business with the programme. 

To get involved, email fundraising@sthelena.org.uk, or give us a call on 01206 931 468. We’d love to have your help. 

Huge thanks to our sponsors

Tree-cycle wouldn’t be possible without the support of our brilliant sponsors and supporters:

Sponsors

Tree and Lawn Company

 

Supporters

Tree & Lawn Company logo

Love Essex

Love Essex logo

Birch Airfield Composting Services

Birch Airfield Composting Services logo

Colchester City Council

Colchester City Council logo


Essex Reclamation

Essex Reclamation

Essex County Council

Essex County Council logo

Tendring District Council

Tendring District Council logo

Frequently asked questions

What is the Christmas Tree-Cycle?
For a donation, people can register their real Christmas trees to be collected between 9th and 12th January 2026. We have a team of volunteers that go round and collect the trees on these dates. They bring the collected trees back to the Colchester Recycling Centre or the Tendring District Council depot who take them to Birch Airfield Composting Services to be turned into compost. If volunteers come to your address and the tree is not outside a calling card will be put through the door. 
Closing date for registration is Sunday 4th January 2026 at 11.59pm. 
 
What postcode area is the collection taking place?
Postcodes CO1, CO2, CO3, CO4, CO5, CO6, CO7, CO8, CO9, CO11, CO12, CO13, CO14, CO15 and CO16 (Not CO10)
How do I register?

You can register on our website at sthelena.org.uk/tree-cycle26

How much does it cost to register a tree?
We accept donations for our Tree-cycle collection service, your donation will make a real difference to St Helena Hospice so please give generously.  
 
£12 could provide two delicious Christmas dinners with all the trimmings for someone staying at the at the hospice this Christmas to enjoy with a loved one.

£16 could provide a family who are in distress over the festive period with expert advice and guidance over the phone from our 24/7 SinglePoint helpline.

£25 could help someone having difficulty coping with grief during their first Christmas without a loved one through a session with a bereavement counsellor.
Can more than one tree be registered to one address?
As many trees as you would like can be registered at one address, but they all need to be clearly visible on collection day and please be mindful when donating this will take more time for our volunteers. 
Will I receive confirmation that I have registered?
You will receive an email confirming your online registration of your tree. 
Where should I leave my tree?
Please leave the tree out in front of the house the night before collection, clearly visible. An email will be sent to you before the collection as a reminder. 
Are there any restrictions?
No restrictions (as long as you are wanting to register a tree within the postcode area). When registering there is a question, “is your tree over 6ft?” Please note any tree over 6ft will need to be cut in half or it will not be able to be collected. 

If your tree is significantly large, please contact the fundraising team on 01206 931 468. 
If you would like to register but your house has no number
If you would like to register your tree and have no house number, please leave us a clear explanation of where your house is along the road (e.g. opposite the reservoir, next to the post box, the one with bright pink gate) and where you will leave your tree, when completing the form.
Can I register my tree and donate on the day?
No, all donations and registrations need to be submitted before the day. We will close registration on Sunday 4th January at 11.59pm or when we have reached capacity. 
Will I get a time slot when my tree is being collected?
No, our collection is taking place between daylight hours between Friday 9th and Monday 12th January 2026. 
Do I need to be there when my tree is collected?
No, if your tree is out and visible, our volunteers will collect it without bothering you.
Do I need to take my tree out of the pot?
Yes, please remove the tree from any pots and ensure all decorations have been removed. 
What happens if I forget to put my tree out for collection?
You will receive an email reminder before collection. If the tree is not clearly visible at the front of the house and it has not been collected, we will leave a calling card that we have visited, and we will not be back to collect it. 
What if my tree is collected before the 10th January?
If your tree gets collected or disposed of before the 10th January, please let us know so we do not send someone to come and collect it at the weekend.
How can I register to volunteer to help collect the trees? Or help with a Van?
Please contact fundraising@sthelena.org.uk or call our fundraising office on 01206 931 468.

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Processing fees

When you make a donation to St Helena Hospice, we are charged transactional fees by other companies, including fees for processing payments made to us, looking up addresses and validating bank account details.

We are very grateful to our donors who offer to offset some of these fees with a minor addition to their total amount. This is however completely optional and we are very grateful for your support whether or not you choose to contribute to processing fees.

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About Gift Aid

We are able to claim an extra 25p on every £1 on your donation amount for no extra cost to you, as long as you are a UK tax payer; have paid enough income tax or capital gains tax in that tax year; and are donating your own money. If you pay less income tax and/or capital gains tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all of your donations in that tax year it is your responsibility to pay any difference. For more information about Gift Aid, please visit https://www.gov.uk/donating-to-charity/gift-aid
 

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