A charity is celebrating £100,000 in donations after more than 4,000 Christmas trees were collected by volunteers across Cambridgeshire last weekend.
The trees were collected from across the county, including Cottenham, Cambourne, Duxford, Waterbeach, and, for the first time, the Royston area.
From January 9 till January 11, more than 160 volunteers went out in vans, trucks, Land Rovers with trailers, and even camper vans to pick up trees.
The Arthur Rank Hospice volunteers, aged between 21 and 86, came from community groups, local businesses, groups of friends, and regular supporters of the group.
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The scheme, started by Arthur Rank Hospice Charity 10 years ago, has grown from collecting 400 trees in its first year to becoming one of the biggest collections in the country.
Many took the day off work to help with Dave and Maggie Gould volunteering for the first time this year, they said: "We read about volunteering for the Christmas tree collection and both felt we wanted to do something to help such a worthwhile charity.
"We have never done this before and wondered how it would all work but needn't have worried as the organisation was absolutely brilliant."
After the trees were collected, a team of volunteer chippers, including Brookfields Contracting, ACS Tree Care, Acacia Tree Surgery, and Covill Skips, took over.
Sharon Allen, CEO at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, said: "We are truly overwhelmed and deeply grateful for the incredible community support we’ve received for our Christmas tree recycling initiative this year.
"From the 160 dedicated volunteers who braved the freezing weather, to the 4,000 generous donors as well as the local businesses whose contributions have all made this possible.
"The response has been nothing short of extraordinary.
"Reaching £100,000 in donations is an amazing achievement, and it’s a wonderful way to start the year.
"Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has played a part in making this so successful."
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