22-02-2025
Record £64,800 raised from recycling Christmas trees
MORE than £64,000 was raised for three charities by recycling Christmas trees.
Diverse Abilities, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care and Julia's House benefited from the initiative that saw about 29 tonnes of trees collected from homes and businesses.
The majority of these trees were turned into 96 cubic metres of woodland mulch by Parley-based Eco Sustainable Solutions.
This is equivalent to approximately 1,920 wheelbarrow loads.
The money raised from the tree disposal, which is up more than £7,000 from last year, goes directly to the three charities.
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Eco's Bryony Hammond (centre) with (left to right) Katie Thompson and Laura Maidment (Julia's House); Fiona Harwood (Lewis-Manning) and Francesca Potton (Diverse Abilities) (Image: Andrew Diprose) Bryony Hammond, Eco's marketing executive, said: "We're pleased and proud to play our part in raising a record amount for three very deserving local charities."
Francesca Potton, community fundraiser at Diverse Abilities, added: "Treecycling continues to be one of our main fundraising initiatives every year, allowing us to fundraise sustainably and raise money to support children and adults with disabilities in the Dorset area."
Laura Maidment, Julia's House public fundraising manager, said: "We are extremely grateful to Eco for helping us to successfully run our fourth Julia's House Christmas tree collection service.
"We have only been able to make this initiative successful because of the kindness and generosity of several local companies, community groups and volunteers, who give their time, equipment and transport to help Julia's House staff and volunteers."
Vicki Gray, head of fundraising at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, said: "We are incredibly proud of the collective impact we've made together with another successful year of Christmas tree collections and recycling.
"The funds raised through this eco-friendly campaign will directly benefit patients by funding 1,200 virtual exercise and well-being sessions, led by the charity's occupational therapists.
"These sessions play a crucial role in helping patients maintain an active lifestyle, stay connected with others and improve their mental and physical health."
