Following a magical festive season, households all over the Leeds area were left wondering what to do once they were ready to say goodbye to this Christmas year’s tree. All over the city, you could see sad and bare trees temporarily ditched in gardens and driveways while people got round to getting rid of one of our favourite Christmas symbols.
That’s where St Gemma’s Hospice and their Christmas tree recycling service came in. In its fourth year, the massively successful scheme is made possible by local businesses and helping hands across the region. We were very excited to get involved again this year and did so by providing one of our McCarthy’s vans and some happy helpers to pick up and drop off trees. Collection took place from the 9th-13th of January and was a huge success once again! 
Over two days we helped to collect over 130 trees which helped raise thousands of pounds for St Gemma’s Hospice.
Christmas trees picked up will be recycled at council waste sites and turned into every day products. Perhaps this year’s cards will come from last year’s tree!
The money raised will go towards the hugely worthy charity, St Gemma’s, which is based in Moortown, Leeds. The hospice provides invaluable care and quality of life for local people with cancer and other life threatening illnesses. Care provided is free of charge to patients and their families so St Gemma’s relies on donations and local fundraising initiatives in the community.
Take a look at their website for further news on upcoming events and news. And if you didn’t take advantage of the tree recycling scheme this January, keep an eye open for it next year!