Christmas tree recycling cancelled

It is with heavy hearts that we have taken the difficult decision to cancel the Christmas Tree collection following the Prime Minister's announcement to keep everyone safe from COVID-19.

Happy New Year.

I would like to thank you for your kind donation and choosing to have your Christmas tree collected by the Cransley volunteers for recycling locally. We have been overwhelmed by the support you have shown us in the first year of this new project and the team have been working hard behind the scenes to comply with ever changing legislation and restrictions.

Following the Prime Ministers announcement last night our team have met this morning to discuss and carefully consider whether it was possible under the latest guidelines for the tree collection and recycling to go ahead.  As a health care charity, we take the health and safety of our staff and volunteers extremely seriously and it is with great disappointment and heavy hearts that we have decided it will not be possible to fulfil the collection of trees this year.

Whilst the government website states essential volunteer work can continue, we consider this to be those volunteers working directly for individuals requiring essential support that are vulnerable and in extreme need. With the ‘Stay at Home,’ message issued by the government, we feel that we have a responsibility to our staff, volunteers, and the community to ensure that we comply with these instructions.

As you have very kindly made a donation, I am sure that you share in our disappointment. Our recycling project was supported through a third party provider, ‘Just Helping,’ and at the time of booking you would have been advised that the donation was non-refundable should circumstances prevent us from collecting. Your donation is vital to Cransley Hospice and given the unprecedented circumstances that have led to the collection’s cancellation we hope you are willing to allow your voluntary donation to fund the outstanding work your hospice provides in the community. We do understand that these are challenging times for many and if you would like to discuss your situation please do not hesitate to contact us by emailing events@cransleyhospice.org.uk.

Along with many other charities, our ability to fundraise has been severely impacted, the donation you have made will not only support Cransley Hospice in providing vital care and support to our local community but will also support the 4 local charities, Wicksteed Park, Wellingborough Hatton Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Wellingborough and the Rotary Club of Kettering who had been chosen as beneficiaries from our tree recycling project.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you, and hope that you are still able to dispose of your tree in the usual way.

  • or you can compost your Christmas tree at home by breaking it down into smaller pieces and putting it in your home compost bin

Thank you again for your support.  The generosity and loyalty of our community is what enables us to continue providing the essential services, which despite lockdowns and a constantly shifting environment, must continue to provide the specialist care and support of our patients and their families.

Please stay safe and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Rachel Herrick

Director of Income Generation and Communications