When Christmas is over and your tree begins to look a little bedraggled, why not continue the spirit of goodwill by donating your tree to Pilgrims Hospices?

The east Kent based charity, which provides specialist palliative care, is once again offering its popular Tree Recycling scheme to all residents living in the Ashford borough.

Last year the charity raised more than £17,000 from its festive recycling service, which sees volunteers collect old Christmas trees from homes in exchange for a chosen donation.

Cllr Clair Bell, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Land Management, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Pilgrims Hospices’ Tree Recycling scheme once again, and pleased to highlight such a worthy cause.

“It is the perfect opportunity for residents not only to support this excellent charity, but also dispose of their Christmas tree in an eco-friendly way.”

If you have a tree over 10ft high, the Pilgrims Hospices ask that you mention this upon registration so they can make special collection arrangements.

Community Fundraising Manager, Victoria Friar, said “Pilgrims Hospices are delighted to be working in partnership with Ashford Borough Council again. Tree Recycling is a great way for local residents to support Pilgrims by making a chosen donation in return for having our volunteer crews collect their Christmas tree in January.

“Donations totalled over £17,000 last year which could fund over a month of our expert nursing care. Visit www.pilgrimshospices.org/treecycling to find out more and register your tree.”

If you would like to get involved, make sure you register before 7th January as collections take place on the weekend of the 13th and 14th January.
Sign up for the Tree Recycling service direct at www.pilgrimshospices.org/treecycling or call 01233 504111.

Pilgrims Hospices encourage residents to post their festive tree photos to the charity’s Facebook page at /Pilgrimshospices or tweet them at @PilgrimsHospice using the hashtag #PilgrimsTreeRecycling