People across North Derbyshire are being encouraged to support a sustainable Christmas tree recycling service that will raise funds for end of life care.  

Ashgate Hospice’s annual Treecyle scheme, supported by Jake Eville Tree Care, offers residents the chance to recycle their real tree in return for a donation towards its vital care. 

The hospice’s team will be collecting trees in Chesterfield, Dronfield, South Normanton, Brimington, Clowne, Clay Cross, Eckington, Killamarsh, Bolsover, Bakewell, Alfreton, Matlock and more. 

The scheme will operate in January 2025 across eleven postcode areas, including S18, S21, S40, S41, S42, S43, S44, S45, DE4, DE45 and DE55. 

Once collected, the trees will be used to heat agricultural buildings and a greenhouse that grows produce all year round. 

Signing up for the service – for a donation of £15 – will help the hospice raise the £11 million it needs each year to continue providing support to patients and their families.  

Despite the high demand for care, only 15 of Ashgate’s 21 inpatient beds are currently open due to funding constraints, meaning donations are more critical than ever.   

James Branson, Events Manager at Ashgate Hospice, said: “We’re so pleased to be able to offer our Treecycle service to provide the people of North Derbyshire with a hassle-free Christmas.  

“Residents can get sign up for £15, and our dedicated team of staff and volunteers will come directly to you and collect your tree – all you’ve got to do is leave it outside your property! 

“Recycling your tree is a great way to create sustainable energy, and you’ll be helping heat agricultural buildings and a greenhouse that grows produce all year round! 

“Ultimately, the money raised will help to ensure we can continue to provide specialist care to our patients and their families who need us most.” 

The previous Treecycle appeal saw 989 trees raising more than £19,000 towards hospice care in the region.  

This was an increase of 50% than in 2023, when a total of 647 trees were collected and more than £12,200 was raised to help fund care for patients and their families.  

Trees will be collected from outside people’s properties between Tuesday 7th and Thursday 9th January 2025.  

Anyone who signs up to scheme must leave the tree on the front of their garden by 8am on 7th January.   

All bookings for tree collections must take place by 5pm on Wednesday 8th January and can be done online here. Alternatively, call the team on 01246 567250.  

What happens to recycled trees at Jake Eville Tree Care? 

Each tree is placed into a chipper individually, producing small ‘pellets’ or ‘chippings’ which, when a full van load has been produced, are then transported into a drying bay. 

Here a fan is used to direct warm air through a specialised drying floor which reduces the moisture content in the chip, resulting in a more efficient biomass fuel. 

Then the chip is loaded into a large hopper which feeds the biomass boiler. This heat produced from the boiler is redirected back into the drying floor and used to heat farm buildings. 

Find out more about Jake Eville Tree Care online.