The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust, have wrapped up their fourth and biggest yet treecycle. The annual fundraising campaign helps the Trust fund practical, financial, and emotional support for families affected by childhood cancer.
685 residents around Worcestershire and Herefordshire donated a fee to the charity for their unwanted Christmas tree to be collected by a team of local businesses and volunteers spanning across a 3-day schedule. This year saw a whopping 22 companies assist with the treecycle. One local business who went above and beyond to support the campaign were The Marquee Company of Worcestershire who provided vans and collectors for ALL 3 pick-up days. Emma Cleal from the named fund #BeMoreFrank also played a vital role in coordinating the campaign across Hereford to boost the amount raised for the Trust.
Treecycling 2024 has raised just over £12,000, and as the charity receives no statutory funding, this financial gain will make a big difference to the lives of oncology children and their siblings.
We are just so thrilled with the success of this year’s treecycle. The support of the local community is incredibly loyal and generous, and there has been a ‘treemendous’ contribution and effort from all our partners and volunteers too.
Coralie Hudson, Campaign Manager & Community and Corporate Fundraiser
Feedback from one resident included:
“Thank you for your email and thank you to those who came and collected our tree. The whole process was so easy, and I was able to support a good cause too. It has always been a bit of a problem about what to do with the tree so when we spotted the information at our local garden centre we were so pleased to sign up. We will be back again next Christmas.”
Some of the highlights of this year’s campaign have included:
- Exceeding last year’s total
- Expanding the collection service into the Wyre Forest, which was kindly supported by West Midlands Safari Park who were a designated drop off point for the area.
- An appearance from the Christmas Grinch.
- #BeMoreFrank joining us for another year of collections for Hereford postcodes and more than doubling their tree total!!
The tree collection service would not have been possible without the support from around 40 individual volunteers and businesses including:
Dormer Plant Hire, Chessgrove Woodchip, Young Farmers Club Worcester, West Midland Safari Park, Clarity Solutions, Green Cable, Invoco Telecom, Bromsgrove Van Hire, Vietec, Lucart Hygiene, C & R Services, Cloud Top, Middlebrook Media, SME Solicitors, APM Trees, Royal Oak, Broadwas, Elgar Kitchens, Hill Estate Agents, Conquest Paving, RevGen, RMJ Homes Ltd., SES Electrical, Old Railway Line Garden Centre, Taurus Oak Design and Festive Forestry.
Bridget and Guy in the Wyre Forest area, Maria Pritchett and husband, Tanya from Track-POD who assisted with the route planning and all who flyer dropped. Tracey, Adam, and Sue who provided refreshments and facilities on the first day of collections.
The Trust are already thinking ahead to next year’s treecycle with bookings opening in October for early birds. Sign up to their newsletter at www.gkcct.org or follow Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust on all social media platforms for the latest updates or to express an interest in volunteering next year as an individual or business.
For more information, please contact:
Sophie Blount, Communications Officer, Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust, sophieblount@gkcct.org
