Stoke-on-Trent-based hospice Dougie Mac has launched its annual Christmas Tree-Cycle scheme and it’s calling on businesses to help out.
The hugely popular initiative sees the palliative care provider collect trees from hundreds of households in exchange for a donation to support Dougie Mac’s specialist care services. The trees are then recycled and turned into compost by Brown Recycling.
But the Tree-Cycle isn’t possible without an army of volunteers. So an appeal has gone out to any business that has a big van and some willing volunteers who can help to collect trees – or even offer supplies or refreshments to the other volunteers.
The Dougie Mac volunteers will collect the trees over the weekend of 11 to 14 January 2024 and will be collecting from any houses in the following post codes:
ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST6, ST7, ST8, ST9, ST10, ST11, ST12, ST13, TF9 and CW3.
Deb Vickers, Head of Business and Community fundraising, said: “Registration for Dougie Mac’s tree collection is now open and it’s so easy.
“We’ll take away your tree and recycle it in an environmentally friendly way, meaning that there’s no hassle for you (and no messy pine needles in your car).
“We can collect trees from homes, businesses, schools and churches in the relevant post code areas, you just need to register your tree and make your donation on our website.
“Then in the New Year just leave your tree outside your registered address and we’ll collect it between 11 to 14 January.”
Deb added: “In exchange for collecting your tree, we just ask for a donation to support our specialist care services, enabling us to be there for more children, young adults and adults, as well as their families, when they need us.
“For example a donation of £20 could pay for a play therapy session for a child, which is like counselling but using play instead of words. So you really are making a difference.”
People can register their Christmas tree now at www.dougiemac.org.uk/tree-collection. In order to qualify, the tree must be registered before 11.59pm on 7 January 2024.
Business willing to help out should email – [email protected] or call 01782 344359.
