Jo Clarke, public fundraising manager at St Helena Hospice, said:

“This year marks a significant milestone as we extend our tree collection to span two days, a move aimed at enhancing our ability to gather more trees and generate increased support for St Helena Hospice. In light of the financial crisis faced by hospices across the country, it has never been more crucial to raise funds to enable us support local people facing incurable illness and bereavement.

“We are grateful for the support of Essex Reclamation, who have joined forces with us this year. Essex Reclamation is playing a pivotal role in the tree collection by providing bins and facilitating the transportation of trees to Birch Airfield for recycling.”

Christmas Tree-cycle is sponsored by Tree & Lawn Company, whose Managing Director, Peter Cannon, said:

“Tree & Lawn Company Ltd are very pleased to be able to support St Helena Hospice each year with the Christmas Tree-cycle campaign fundraising event. Our involvement consists of donating but also giving our free time to help with the tree collections.

“The work St Helena Hospice does each and every day, helps so many of us and they deserve all the support they can get. By participating, Tree & Lawn Company can continue to show them our appreciation; by helping them, St Helena Hospice can continue to help us.”

Cllr Martin Goss, Colchester Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services & Waste, said:

“It’s an honour to be partnering with St Helena Hospice again on this very important initiative.

“Not only is it good for the environment it also provides key funds to a highly respected and key Colchester charity.”

Cllr Mike Bush, Tendring District Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said:

“This is an excellent scheme from St Helena Hospice, which turns your Christmas tree into money for a truly good cause – while also seeing it disposed of in an environmentally-friendly way. So I would encourage everyone with a real Christmas tree this festive season to sign up for Tree-cycle.”

The tree collection on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th January 2024 is supported by Colchester Borough Council, Tendring District Council and Birch Airfield Composting Services.

St Helena Hospice would also welcome people to volunteer their time by helping to collect trees on the day, or for people to supply a van for volunteers to use on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th January. To help with volunteering or vans please contact fundraising@sthelena.org.uk or call the fundraising office on 01206 931 468.