Published on: Wednesday 15 Jan 2025 at 12:32
Thank you for helping us turn pine needles into patient care!
In an incredible display of community spirit and generosity, St Clare Hospice is delighted to announce the success of this year’s Christmas Tree collection. Thanks to the incredible support of residents and volunteers, over £22,500 was raised, which could pay for over three and a half months of night home visits by one of our Hospice at Home healthcare assistants.
Having a night sitter to stay with a patient overnight can be an absolute lifeline for people with a life-limiting condition, and their family, who are often caring for them round the clock. It means their family can get a good night’s sleep, knowing their loved one is being cared for.
Between 9th and 11th January, our amazing volunteers braved the brisk weather to collect a total of 1,165 trees from doorsteps across the St Clare catchment area, including over 700 in Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth and Saffron Walden, and over 200 in Harlow and Epping Forest.
The annual initiative offers a convenient and environmentally friendly way for residents to dispose of their Christmas trees while making a meaningful contribution to the hospice. This year’s total will go directly toward providing compassionate care and support for patients and their families across West Essex and East Herts.
“We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who booked a tree collection this January,” said Nancy Hynes, Community Relationship Fundraiser. “You’ve helped kickstart our 2025 fundraising in spectacular fashion, ensuring that people facing life-limiting conditions don’t have to face them alone.”
Nancy continued, “We are truly overwhelmed by the generosity of our community, especially in these challenging times. Your donations enable us to continue providing essential care and support to those who need it most. We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated, donated, and volunteered to make this possible.”
St Clare Hospice volunteer and Nancy’s dad, Liam Hynes added, “It’s always a joy to be involved in such a fantastic initiative. Not only are we supporting the hospice, but it’s wonderful to see the community come together for such a worthy cause.”
St Clare would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this year’s Christmas Tree collection such a success. With the funds raised, St Clare Hospice can continue to provide exceptional end-of-life care, bereavement support, and other critical services to the local community.
The collection was made possible thanks to the support of this year’s sponsor Exertis alongside our dedicated and hard working volunteers, local businesses, and organisations who gave their time, vehicles, and resources to help – including Wavey Tree Care who chipped over 700 trees!
Local companies who also supported the Christmas Tree Collection included:
- Goodnus
- Rotary Club of Saffron Walden
- Loughton Self Drive
- HTS Group
- The Secure Storage Co.
- Dunmow Group
- Essex County Council
- Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Club
- B&Q
- Wincanton
- Uttlesford District Council
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