Midlands end-of-life care charity, Treetops Hospice (Treetops) has raised an astonishing £70,000 over the last few months thanks to a series of festive fundraising events, supported by local volunteers, businesses, schools, and groups.
Treetops Hospice is a leading end-of-life care charity providing compassionate services to the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire areas, helping those individuals and families who need it most during the most difficult time of their lives. Last year, the hospice provided more than 34,000 hours of end-of-life nursing care to over 2,000 patients in the local community. Receiving less than 18% statutory funding, it relies on the generosity of its supporters to continue its essential work.
The winter season has seen the local community step up in support of Treetops by taking part in a range of festive events. The hospice held its fifth annual Reindeer Dash which once again proved a major highlight of the Christmas period. Over 5,200 pupils from 28 local schools and businesses joined in, with children and teachers organising sponsored playground runs, football matches, discos, and festive dress-up days to raise money.
This is while hundreds attended Treetops’ Light up a Life service in Risley, with 560 people donating to light candles in memory of their loved ones. The event raised over £24,000, and it continues to be one of the hospice’s most significant gatherings of the year.
The fundraising efforts don’t end there, with the addition of a brand-new event, Santas on a Bike, which took place on Sunday 21st December. More than 30 cyclists dressed up as Santa and completed a 14-mile route, before celebrating their accomplishment with mince pies and coffee. This raised further funds and awareness for the hospice and its specialist patient care.
Furthermore, in early January, the popular Treecycling scheme made its comeback for an annual three-day collection, supported by local recycling company, Ward. Volunteers from local businesses helped gather and recycle 1,470 Christmas trees, offering vans, time, and plenty of pairs of hands to make it happen. The collections raised a brilliant £28,000 for the hospice.
Natalie Godrich, Relationships Manager, Community Engagement at Treetops Hospice said: “Events like these are vital in helping us raise the funds we need to continue supporting people across the community with our specialist care. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who took part, donated, or volunteered to help Treetops in any way – not only during the festive period but throughout the year.”
If you would like to help secure the future of Treetops Hospice and its services, donations are warmly welcomed via this link. A donation of £34.50 helps to provide a counselling session for a bereaved child, while a donation of £108 helps to provide nursing care through the night for a patient at the end of life.