A HOSPICE has seen its most successful tree recycling event to date.

St Helena Hospice in Colchester hosted its annual Christmas Tree-cycle event.

The collection saw more than 1,600 once-loved and decorated Christmas trees collected across the borough, beating the previous year’s total which reached just over 1,500.

Residents signed up to arrange for their tree to be collected and recycled in return for a donation to the charity.

Thanks to the dedicated team of volunteers, the support of Colchester Council and the Tree and Lawn Company, the event has raised more than £17,000 so far and the total is likely to reach £20,000.

This substantial total could pay for the nurses at the hospice in Highwoods for just over a week, providing care for patients with life-limiting illnesses and support for their families.

Lizzie Deed, corporate fundraiser at St Helena Hospice, said: “We are thrilled to have beaten our record once again and to have reached such an amazing fundraising total.

“We would like to thank all of our supporters who have donated as part of the Christmas Tree-cycle and all of our volunteers who gave up their day to help collect such a huge number of trees.

“We couldn’t do it without the help and support of our community.”

She added: “We would also like to thank Colchester Council for its support along with the Tree and Lawn Company and the local companies which loaned us their vans for the day.

“St Helena Hospice will use all the money raised to help people face incurable illness and bereavement.”

Peter Cannon, who is the owner of the Tree and Lawn Company based in West Bergholt, was more than happy to help the charity.

He added: “As a tree service company, this fundraising event is a natural partnership for us to be involved with, by donating and also giving our free time to help with the tree collections.

“It is always a pleasure to participate and by helping them, this means they can continue to help others.”

St Helena Hospice will be providing the service again in 2020 with a collection date being released in November.