DOROTHY House hospice more than doubled their last year’s fundraising total for their Christmas tree collection scheme, collecting over £26,000.
This month, Dorothy House collected over 2,360 trees across nine postcodes in BaNES, Somerset and Wiltshire. The first charity Christmas tree collection, in January 2017, raised £6,395.90 for the hospice and in January 2018, the scheme raised over £12,800, with this year’s more than doubling to £26,000.
It was supported by local businesses providing vans and 100 volunteers including Wessex Water in Bath, Islington Motors from Trowbridge, SW Machinery Hire from Lacock and Lackham Agriculture College in Melksham.
Other supporters include paving company, SureSet in Warminster, Pearns Tree Services and Inspired Joinery both from Frome and the Bradford on Avon Rotary Club. While 90% of the money raised, after costs, will go to Dorothy House, 10% of funds raised will also go to other local charities.
Verity Clark, community fundraiser for Dorothy House Hospice Care said, “This was our third Christmas tree collection and we’re delighted to have helped local people recycle over 2,360 used Christmas trees, while also raising £26,000 of vital funds to help Dorothy House provide palliative and end of life patient care.
“A big thank you to all our volunteers and our supporters for their generous help and thanks also to all who made a donation to have their tree collected. We’re aiming for an even bigger collection next January, so watch this space.”
Mark Knapton, designer at Inspired Joinery in Frome said, “We enjoyed getting involved in the charity Christmas tree collection again this year and are delighted that Dorothy House managed to raise so many funds to help people in the local community.”