St Lawrence College is proud to support Pilgrims Hospice in its annual Christmas Tree Recycling initiative this January, contributing to vital hospice care and promoting sustainability. On Friday, 10th January 2025, staff from the College will join other volunteers to collect Christmas trees from local families.
This effort forms part of Pilgrims Hospice’s campaign to raise essential funds for its specialist nursing services while providing an eco-friendly way for the community to dispose of their festive trees. Last year, the campaign raised over £60,000, funding more than 2,280 hours of nursing care and recycling 3,250 trees across East Kent.
Nell Young, Head of Admissions at St Lawrence College, shared her personal connection to Pilgrims Hospice:
“Kent is fortunate to have Pilgrims Hospice, offering unparalleled care and compassion to families in their time of need. My family and I will never forget the kindness they showed us during a challenging period. Supporting this initiative allows us to give back to a cause close to many hearts while highlighting the spirit of kindness and community that defines our school.”
The College’s involvement will include providing a van and two team members to assist with tree collections along an allocated route. The collected trees will be chipped or composted, with some of the compost being used within the hospice grounds, contributing to a circular, eco-friendly process.
Kate Duddell, Head of Fundraising at Pilgrims Hospice, expressed gratitude for the campaign’s community impact:
“We are incredibly thankful to the volunteers and local businesses that come together each January to support this initiative. The funds raised directly sustain our work, and we hope this year will be just as successful as the last.”
Families wishing to participate can arrange tree collection through the Pilgrims Hospice website here. Each tree collected helps fund the hospice’s critical services while promoting a greener future.
As the new year begins, St Lawrence College remains dedicated to fostering community, kindness, and environmental awareness. Collaborating with Pilgrims Hospice exemplifies the College’s mission to inspire a positive impact both within and beyond its campus.