Over three days from 9-11 January 2025, some 4,000 Christmas trees were collected by more than 160 volunteers across Cambridgeshire.
This incredible scheme started ten years ago at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and has grown from 400 trees in the first year, to become one of the biggest collections in the country this year. From Cottenham to Cambourne, Duxford to Waterbeach and everywhere in between, trees were collected across the county and for the first time the Royston area was included too.
Volunteers went out in vans, trucks, Land Rovers with trailers and even camper vans to help pick up trees around the county. This carefully planned operation, saw more than 100 routes drawn up, and divided out between the army of volunteers.
The volunteers, aged between 21 and 86, came from community groups, local businesses, groups of friends, regular supporters of the Charity and more. Many took the day off work to come out and help. Businesses who sent teams and donated vans to help on the day included HSBC, Barclays, The Welch Group, QAV Global, Enterprise, Alleycat, Springboard, Cooke Curtis & co, Pink Lamp, The Murphy Group, Kier, Huttie Group, Simpsons Nursery, C4B Media, The Courier Company, Urban Plastics and CRL together with organisations like The Rotary Club of Cambridge and RAF Marham.
Dave and Maggie Gould volunteered for the first time this year and they said:
“We read about volunteering for the Christmas Tree collection and both felt we wanted to do something to help such a worthwhile charity – and as we have a transit van it made sense to offer our van and our time to collect trees and help the fundraising scheme. We have never done this before and wondered how it would all work but needn’t have worried as the organisation was absolutely brilliant!
The information provided before we set off, the daily routes given to us and the information provided to find each tree were all we needed. Everyone we met was cheerful and helpful and we really did appreciate they had even thought about WC’s at the drop off sites and also provided packed lunches to keep us going until we had finished our collections.
We originally offered to help as we had recently had personal experience of the kind and caring palliative care provided by Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, and we found that we really enjoyed helping – and will no doubt be back to help again next year.“
Following all the trees being collected, a team of volunteer chippers then took over, including Brookfields Contracting, ACS Tree Care, Acacia Tree Surgery and Covill Skips. The Charity would also like to thank Abington SawMill, Scotsdales Garden Centre, Cambridge Rugby Club, Morrisons, Rectory Farm and Shepreth Wildlife Park who provided space for the volunteers to drop off the trees.
Sharon Allen, CEO at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity said:
“We are truly overwhelmed and deeply grateful for the incredible community support we’ve received for our Christmas Tree Recycling initiative this year.
From the 160 dedicated volunteers who braved the freezing weather, to the 4,000 generous donors as well as the local businesses whose contributions have all made this possible. The response has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Reaching £100,000 in donations is an amazing achievement, and it’s a wonderful way to start the year. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has played a part in making this so successful.”
Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end of life care. The services are provided free of charge to patients and their families, thanks to the generosity of supporters and the dedication of our volunteers.
