Festive Recycling Initiative Raises Vital Funds for NHS Charity
A pioneering Christmas tree recycling scheme launched by the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) Charity has successfully raised £1,413 while recycling 80 real trees. This inaugural fundraiser, which took place in late 2025, saw community members donate money to have their festive trees collected and repurposed in an environmentally friendly manner.
Community and Corporate Volunteers Unite
Volunteers from five local businesses generously donated their time and resources to collect the trees from across South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. The effort involved staff from NG Bailey, Sycon Contract, QC Electrical, Vinci Construction—all currently working on the new Critical Care department at Doncaster Royal Infirmary—and SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK. They braved near-freezing temperatures to undertake the heavy lifting required for the collections.
Sarah Dunning, fundraising manager for DBTH Charity, expressed immense gratitude: “We couldn’t have done the collections without our volunteers, and we are incredibly grateful to them for giving up their time, providing vehicles and lending a helping hand throughout the day.”
Environmental and Charitable Benefits
All 80 collected trees were donated to the Hearts & Hooves Rescue Centre, a farm animal rescue and rehabilitation centre in Doncaster, and the Yorkshire Wildlife Park. The recycled trees will be used for repairing hedgerows, making compost, and providing natural enrichment for the animals.
Shane Atkins, SUEZ general manager in Doncaster, highlighted the importance of community support: “Supporting the local community is really important to us. SUEZ gives its staff a day a year to volunteer to support causes that matter to them, and the team and I were really pleased to be able to support this Christmas tree recycling scheme which not only benefited the hospital, but also local rescue animals.”
Direct Impact on Animal Welfare
Of the funds raised, 15% was donated to Hearts & Hooves to support their ongoing work. Sarah Jenkins, founder and CEO of Hearts & Hooves, explained the dual benefits: “The donated Christmas trees have been a brilliant addition for our animals. They provide natural enrichment, nutrition, and stimulation, and it’s wonderful to see something that might have gone to waste being put to such good use.”
She added: “The funds raised through this initiative will go directly towards essential care and improvements at the rescue, including feed, veterinary support, and safe fencing for our horses, goats, alpaca, llama, chickens, ducks, sheep, and even our cow. We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity shown to us.”
Supporting Hospital Projects and Future Plans
The remaining funds will enable a multitude of projects across the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Trust, including improvements to patient comfort, enhancements to services, and resources for staff wellbeing.
Adrian Petts, head of charity for DBTH Charity, reflected on the initiative's success: “It was important to us to find as many environmentally friendly and unique ways to recycle the trees. We were blown away by the support for this first tree recycling scheme. From families and neighbours to volunteers giving up their time, people really came together to make it happen.”
He confirmed plans are already being made for a 2027 collection, inviting potential volunteers to contact the charity team via email at dbth.charity@nhs.net or by calling 01302 648282.
About the Charity
Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals’ Charity is the official charity supporting the Trust to go above and beyond by providing additional equipment, services, and amenities for patients, visitors, and staff—initiatives that cannot be funded by the NHS alone. The charity relies on community support to fund innovative projects that make a tangible difference.
