How your old Christmas tree can help give Sheffield Children’s Hospital a festive boost

Michel Ingham and Joel Berry, of JM Groundcare and Berry’s Trees and Gardens, are now in their third year of running the fundraiser after they took over the idea from Andrew Powell who had previously run the scheme for five years.

Last year they collected 2,500 trees, raising almost £14,000 for the Children’s Hospital Charity in the process, and this year - coronavirus crisis permitting - they hope to collect and donate even more.

Joel said: “It is a bit difficult to predict how many we are going to get this year because of the current climate, but there have been more Christmas trees sold than ever this year so who knows.

“It’s really fun working with the other teams and we have a bit of healthy competition between the different groups that go out collecting.

“The most anyone has collected in one van is 70 trees which was driven by a former ambulance driver so he was obviously pretty used to driving round the city quickly.”

All the money raised by MItchel and Joel this year will go towards creating a brand new cancer and leukaemia ward at Sheffield Children's Hospital.

Lucy Rathbone, regional fundraising officer at The Children’s Hospital Charity said: “Joel and Mitchel, along with the kind-hearted team they assemble each January, do an incredible job collecting thousands of Christmas Trees across the city to raise thousands of pounds for Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

“What makes the Christmas recycling drive all the more remarkable is how they balance it alongside running their own businesses and their family commitments during the festive period.

“We are so grateful for all their hard work, so please support the effort if you can by booking your charity Christmas tree collection this year.”

Mitchel and Joel will be collecting across Sheffield and Rotherham from January 7 to 14.

For more information or to book your collection, visit www.christmastreecollections.uk.

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