East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and St Elizabeth Hospice have thanked the local community for their support, after they helped the hospices’ joint Christmas tree recycling scheme, or ‘Tree-cycling’, raise £7,343 for the two charities.
Taking place between 13th and 15th January, Tree-cycling saw teams and volunteers from both hospices collect more than 600 Christmas trees from homes, businesses and organisations throughout Ipswich, Felixstowe, Stowmarket and the surrounding area, with each supporter making a donation to the charities in exchange for collection of their trees.
As well as being a successful fundraiser, the hospice’s Tree-cycling activity also represented the first time two organisations have collaborated together as part of Tree-cycling run by the Just-Helping organisation.
Celia Joseph, Community Relationships Fundraising Manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “Thank you to all our supporters, volunteers and local businesses for getting behind our Tree-cycling service with EACH.
“Although sadly collecting Christmas trees signalled the end of Christmas, we were so pleased to see the community support the two local hospices and raise such a fantastic amount. These funds will make a big difference in helping both children and adults under the care of the two hospices and we look forward to working with EACH again in the future.”
As well as hospice volunteers and staff, volunteers from local companies took part in the tree recycling activities, collecting the trees and delivering them to Eastwood Tree Services and Easton Grange where they were recycled and turned into mulch.
Tina Burdett, Community Fundraiser Manager at EACH, said: “Despite the continued difficulties faced in 2021, we’re delighted to have been able to work on the collection with St Elizabeth Hospice and just thrilled with the response from the community. It’s not only raised much needed funds for both hospices but helped us raise awareness across Suffolk of the work we carry out.”
Funds raised by Tree-cycling will go towards St Elizabeth Hospice and EACH. With St Elizabeth Hospice providing vital free services to improve life for people living with a progressive or life limiting illness throughout East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
While EACH supports families and provides care for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.