Plan to get your new year off to a great start by volunteering for Longfield Community Hospice.
The hospice is calling for local people to help with its annual ‘tree-cycling’ campaign, in partnership with charity JustHelping.
Each year, around 180 volunteers collect thousands of real Christmas trees from homes across Gloucestershire, which are then recycled into chippings.
Caitlin Helbrow from Chalford and her family will be among Longfield’s volunteers. For Caitlin, it’s a way of giving back to Longfield after the hospice cared for her much-loved Nan before she died earlier this year.
Caitlin said: “Longfield came in and helped us care for Nan at home. It was such an awful time and yet such a relief when the nurses came in. Nothing was too much to ask of them.”
Last year, the campaign – which is run in partnership with national organisation JustHelping – saw more than 4,100 real trees recycled into chippings, raising an incredible £81,000 from donations for local hospice care.
This year, the tree collections will take place from 10 to 13 January 2026. Volunteers can register their interest and sign up by emailing events@longfield.org.uk. The charity is also keen to hear from companies willing to sponsor a van and fuel or provide volunteers and vans.
Households can also book their tree collection via the JustHelping website now until midnight on January 6th. www.just-helping.org.uk/register-tree All money raised helps to fund the hospice’s vital work supporting people affected by a life-limiting illness, end of life, or grief.
