Tameside Christmas tree recycling will help support Willow Wood Hospice

Tameside residents are being encouraged to recycle their real Christmas trees with Willow Wood Hospice to help support patient care this festive season.  

The Hospice is collaborating with Tameside Council to provide a convenient collection and recycling service. It will be available throughout the borough between January 8-12, when trees will be taken away with no hassle, no waste and no needles in the car.

Registration is now open so you can register your real Christmas tree to be collected today by visiting www.just-helping.org.uk/register-tree. Simply enter your postcode and submit your details via the online form.  

Registration closes at 11am on January 3, 2024.  

When your registration is complete, stay on the website to make a donation to Willow Wood Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, which provides specialist care for patients from Tameside and Glossop diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses.  

Samantha Kitch, fund-raising manager at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “By using our collection and recycling service, you will be disposing of your real Christmas tree responsibly and by making a donation, you’ll be helping us to continue offering compassionate care to those who need it most in our community.  

“With only 20 per cent of our funding coming from central government, the support we receive from our community is absolutely vital. With your help, we can improve the quality of life for our patients and their families, helping them to live well.  

“We would like to thank Tameside Council for their amazing support in facilitating our Christmas tree collections this year, their expertise is invaluable.”  

The trees will be collected by Tameside Council’s refuse collection team on 8th and 12th January 2024 and then recycled.  

Councillor Denise Ward, Tameside Council’s executive member for climate emergency and environmental services, said: “I am delighted that there is an opportunity for the people of Tameside to demonstrate sustainability while donating to a charity that is close to many people’s hearts in Tameside and that does a lot of positive, valued work in our community. 

“It is vital we come together to make conscious decisions, both for the environment and for vulnerable members of our community. I know donations are gratefully received and I thank all involved in organising this eco-friendly service.”   

The collection and recycling service is supported by national charity Just Helping, which assists charities, volunteers and businesses to contribute to their community and the environment.  

After costs, Willow Wood Hospice will receive 85 per cent of donations and up to 15 per cent will be distributed by Just Helping to other local charities.