An annual community partnership that has recycled more than 16,000 Christmas trees for charity will return this month.
The St Teresa’s Hospice Christmas Tree Collection will take place on Saturday, January 10, and Sunday, January 11.
Dozens of members of Darlington Rotary Club will collect around 2,000 Christmas trees from homes across the area, in return for a small donation to the town’s hospice.
Organiser David Hayward, from Darlington Rotary Club, said: “We have 70 volunteers and 20 large vans all ready to go.
“Everyone wins from this venture: we spare homeowners all the mess that disposing of their trees causes, the hospice gains much needed funds – and the trees are even recycled into sustainable green energy! Greenworx Ltd. recycle the trees into sustainable biomass fuel (Image: Darlington Rotary Club)
“Since we started this collection scheme 15 years ago, more than £120,000 has been raised for the hospice and we’ve collected around 16,000 trees.
“It’s a great thing that we’re proud to do for our town and for a vital local charity.”
- To register a Christmas tree for collection, visit www.darlingtonhospice.org.uk/CTC or call 01325 254321 before January 7.
Businesses across the town have pledged their support for the project.
Vans are being supplied by hire companies Enterprise and Charter, while Taylors Butchers is donating its café as a base of operations for the weekend.
Tree surgeons from Greenworx Ltd. have also stepped in again to recycle all trees collected into biomass fuel.
Hospice chief executive, Nicola Myers, said: “This is one of our major fundraising campaigns and we really appreciate the help of Rotary and the generosity of local residents.
“Every year we have to raise more than £2.5 million to continue offering much-needed care, and community partnerships like the one we enjoy with Darlington Rotary Club is vital to our ability to be there for thousands of people when they need it.”
Areas covered by the collection include Darlington and surrounding areas, including Newton Aycliffe, Heighington, Shildon, Hurworth, and Middleton St George.
