Birmingham residents rose to the challenge of recycling a record number of Christmas trees to raise £49,000 for local charity, Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice.
2,630 homes across Birmingham took part in ‘Treecycling’ this weekend (Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 January) – the city’s largest tree recycling scheme – in which festive firs were collected from residents’ doorsteps in return for a donation.
Over 100 volunteers took part in the initiative, which saw them collect trees from a range of postcodes across Birmingham and Solihull. The trees were then recycled into compost or biomass fuel.
One of the key corporate champions supporting the campaign was civil engineering contractor, Fitzgerald, who generously provided staff and vans for the collection weekend.
All funds raised from Treecycling went towards Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, which provides vital care and support to local families living with terminal illness across Birmingham and Sandwell.
Hamish Shilliday, head of fundraising at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, said: “Before Christmas, we set the residents of Birmingham and Solihull a challenge to increase the amount of trees recycled across the West Midlands – and we’re thrilled that they succeeded.
It’s fantastic to have collected 1,000 more trees this year than in 2017 and to see the scheme go from strength to strength. Thank you to everyone who donated and to the volunteers who worked tremendously hard over the weekend. We are also grateful to Fitzgerald for their generous commitment in continuing to support Treecycling – our success would not have been possible without their support.
“Raising £49,000 is an impressive amount and will make a big difference to the local families living with terminal illness that we care for.”
Treecycling was part of the Hospice’s ‘Care at Christmas’ campaign – a festive appeal which aimed to boost support for individuals and families living with terminal illness. So far, the appeal has raised an impressive £135,000, enabling vital care, compassion and comfort to be available to more people, wherever and whenever they need it.
To find out more about Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, visit: www.birminghamhospice.org.uk
