Christmas tree recycling service launched to raise funds for Compton Care
A hospice in the Black Country has offered to collect trees for people after Christmas in exchange for a minimum £10 donation.
Compton Care is offering the service to take the hassle out of the season for people – as well as help raise vital funds amid Covid-19.
It comes as the charity says it is facing £220,000 in lost revenue this month – on top of the £2.4 million black hole it was already facing.
The service is offered to people living in Compton and Perton thanks to a partnership with justhelping.com and Veolia Environmental Services.
Sally Woods, community fundraiser at Compton Care, said: "This year we have been faced with some huge financial losses which Covid-19 has inflicted upon us.
"We were already facing a loss of £2.4million this year as a result of the pandemic, a figure that is only set to rise.
"2020 has been hard and we have had to consider some really challenging things, like the possibility of having to cut back some of our services and doing less in some areas. What a question to have to ask ourselves - who matters most? There is no doubt that for all of us it will be a Christmas like no other, but we will be celebrating with a new-found determination.
"All of the money raised from tree-cycling will help us to ensure that we can continue to offer care and support to families living with an incurable illness across Wolverhampton, the Black Country, and South Staffordshire."
This is the first year the charity has offered the initiative and as a result, it will be limiting collections to WV3, WV6, WV7 and WV9 postcodes with plans to expand its reach.
The charity is now asking for any willing volunteers who would like to be involved to lend a hand and collect the trees to get in touch.
Mrs Woods added: "As this is our very first year, we need to establish a team of amazing helpers to support us on the two collection days. Whether you can spare a couple of hours or are keen to help for a whole day, if you are fit, love the outdoors and are looking for a fun, different, eco-friendly way to support Compton, then we want to hear from you.
"We’ll provide hot drinks and snacks, all PPE and a great experience. We can’t guarantee the weather will be kind, but we can guarantee you will have a laugh and go home with the feel-good factor.
"If you are interested in lending a hand please email us at fundraising@comptoncare.org.uk."
Bookings for tree collections can be made before 12pm on January 6 by visiting comptoncare.org.uk.
