A LOCAL hospice has raised more than £47,000 through their annual Christmas tree collection.

From January 9 to 11, fleets of vans, lorries and trucks fanned out across the county to collect real Christmas trees in return for donations to St Margaret’s Hospice, which has a charity shop in Wellington.

More than 2,700 trees were registered – the highest number since the scheme began.

Now in its sixth year, the Christmas tree collection continues to grow year on year, combining fundraising with sustainability by ensuring trees are responsibly recycled rather than sent to landfill.

Steph Cox, head of engagement at St Margaret’s Hospice said: “Once again, Somerset has shown what an amazing community it is. The Christmas Tree Collection just keeps getting bigger and better, and this year was no exception.

“Collecting over 2,700 trees, raising more than £47,000, and doing it all in a sustainable way is a fantastic achievement. None of it would be possible without our brilliant supporters and volunteers.”

This year, St Margaret’s Hospice partnered with Children’s Hospice South West to collect Christmas trees in TA1, TA2 and TA3.

The collaboration helped reach more households and maximise the impact of the collections for local hospice care.

More than 260 volunteers gave their time over the three days, supporting everything from lifting and loading trees to route navigation, traffic management, and providing refreshments.

Jenny Staton from Wessex Water, one of the organisations providing volunteer teams, said: “We were delighted to support St Margaret's Hospice's Christmas tree collection once again this year. Five teams of enthusiastic Wessex Water volunteers helped out this year – it’s great fun and a really positive way to help support such a vital local charity in our community. We’re looking forward to collecting even more trees next year.”

Once collected, the trees were recycled thanks to local tree surgeons and recycling partners.

The resulting woodchip will be put to good use, including being reused across the hospice’s gardens.

This year’s collection was made possible with the support of headline sponsors Oneline Surveys and Qube Construct Ltd, alongside dozens of local businesses and individuals who donated vehicles, equipment, time, and refreshments.

Funds raised will help St Margaret’s Hospice continue to provide free, compassionate care to people facing life-limiting illness across Somerset.

Last year, St Margaret’s Hospice supported 5,680 people across Somerset. The majority of these were cared for in their own homes by one of five community nursing teams at St Margret’s Hospice.

The hospice receive three-million pounds in government funding but fundraises year-round to fund the cost of their care.

Funds from events, alongside sponsors, donations, and gifts in Wills are vital to the success of St Margaret’s Hospice.

St Margaret’s Hospice started in 1980 as a nurse-led initiative funded by an event raising just £400.

Today, it is a £15-million turnover operation, employing 350 staff and supported by more than 1,000 volunteers.

For more information about St Margaret’s Hospice Care or to get involved in future events visit their website.