Tree recycling raises thousands for charity

A project to recycle Christmas trees has raised thousands of pounds for a bereavement charity.

Sue Ryder, which runs the Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough, collected 1,391 trees from across the city with the help of its volunteers, raising £23,083 locally.

The Christmas Treecycling scheme collected more than 9,000 trees nationally, raising a total of £166,777 from the charity's six initiatives, including sites in Cambridgeshire.

The money raised equates to 6,671 hours of care, which "helps us be there for more people during the most challenging times of their lives," the charity said.

Real Christmas trees are 100% recyclable, and those collected locally will be converted into compost or wood chippings which help reduce landfill and support sustainability.

Cheyenne Smith, community fundraising manager at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, said: "We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who signed up and helped our Christmas Treecycling scheme flourish.

"As Sue Ryder continues to face rising costs to deliver its care, and with the increasing number of people in need of our support, your contributions are more crucial than ever.

"Your participation helps us be there for more people during the most challenging times of their lives.

"The success of the Sue Ryder Christmas Treecycling Scheme relies entirely on the power of volunteers."

The charity said 51 volunteers had made "this incredible fundraising achievement possible".

Alongside hospice care, the charity offers bereavement support through its online community forum, free bereavement counselling service and Grief Kind Spaces in Cambridgeshire, and other parts of the country.

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