Communities help Sue Ryder raise £21,000 through Christmas Treecycling scheme

Sue Ryder has hailed the “treemendous” support of communities across Bedfordshire and surrounding areas after another successful year of its Christmas Treecycling scheme.

The eco-friendly fundraising initiative saw teams of volunteers – including staff from local businesses – collect real Christmas trees directly from homes, gardens and driveways in return for optional donations. The scheme raised more than £21,000, which will help fund Sue Ryder’s palliative and bereavement care services.

In total, 1,382 trees were collected as part of the Sue Ryder Treecycling Bedfordshire and borders scheme, raising £21,035 to help ensure people receive expert care and support at some of the most difficult times in their lives.

All of the trees collected were recycled locally. They will be turned into wood chippings for use by farms – providing enrichment for goats and pigs – as well as for woodland pathways at Jordans Mill, meaning the scheme delivered environmental benefits alongside vital fundraising.

Nick Burr, Senior Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, thanked everyone who took part:

“We want to say an enormous thank you to everyone who signed up and helped our Christmas Treecycling scheme flourish. By choosing to recycle your real tree with an optional donation to Sue Ryder, your Christmas tree has become the gift of expert care, advice and compassion for those living with serious illness, death and grief. Your participation helps us be there for more people during the most challenging times of their lives.”

He also paid tribute to the 78 volunteers and dozens of businesses who supported the collections.

Last year, Sue Ryder provided palliative and bereavement care to thousands of families across the country, including those supported by hospice and community teams at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice. The charity also offers bereavement support through its online community forum and new Grief Kind Spaces.