Four thousand Christmas trees were collected by more than 160 volunteers across Cambridgeshire over three days during Arthur Rank Hospice Charity’s recycling scheme.
The scheme, which the charity began 10 years ago, has grown from 400 trees in the first year to become one of the biggest collections in the country this year and raised £100,000 for the charity’s work with those with life-limiting illnesses and in need of end-of-life care.
Volunteers at Rectory Farm on the A10, one of the drop-off and chipping sites for the scheme Picture: Keith Heppell
From Cottenham to Cambourne, Duxford to Waterbeach, and everywhere in between, real Christmas trees were collected across the county and, for the first time, over the border in Royston too.
An army of volunteers went out from 9 to 11 January in vans, trucks, Land Rovers with trailers and even camper vans to help pick up trees.
More than 100 routes were drawn up. The volunteers, aged from 21 to 86, came from community groups, local businesses, groups of friends, regular supporters of the Shelford Bottom-based hospice and more.
Many took the day off work to come out and help. Businesses who sent teams and donated vans to help on the day included HSBC, Barclays, The Welch Group, QAV Global, Enterprise, Alleycat, Springboard, Cooke Curtis & Co, Pink Lamp, The Murphy Group, Kier, Huttie Group, Simpsons Nursery, C4B Media, The Courier Company, Urban Plastics and CRL, together with organisations like The Rotary Club of Cambridge and RAF Marham.
Dave and Maggie Gould, who volunteered for the first time this year, said: “We read about volunteering for the Christmas tree collection and both felt we wanted to do something to help such a worthwhile charity – and as we have a Transit van it made sense to offer our van and our time.
“We have never done this before and wondered how it would all work, but needn’t have worried as the organisation was absolutely brilliant!
“The information provided before we set off, the daily routes given to us and the information provided to find each tree were all we needed.
“Everyone we met was cheerful and helpful. We originally offered to help as we had recently had personal experience of the kind and caring palliative care provided by Arthur Rank, but we found that we really enjoyed helping anyway – and will no doubt be back next year.”
Packed lunches were even provided for the volunteers. A team of volunteer chippers then took over, including from Brookfields Contracting, ACS Tree Care, Acacia Tree Surgery and Covill Skips.
Arthur Rank Hospice Charity also thanked Abington SawMill, Scotsdales Garden Centre, Cambridge Rugby Club, Morrisons, Rectory Farm and Shepreth Wildlife Park who provided space for the volunteers to drop off the trees.
CEO Sharon Allen said: “We are truly overwhelmed and deeply grateful for the incredible community support we’ve received for our Christmas tree recycling initiative this year.
“From the 160 dedicated volunteers who braved the freezing weather, to the 4,000 generous donors as well as the local businesses whose contributions have all made this possible.
“The response has been nothing short of extraordinary. Reaching £100,000 in donations is an amazing achievement, and it’s a wonderful way to start the year.
“Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has played a part.”