Letter: A local volunteer shares how businesses can help Sue Ryder this Christmas

I wanted to reach out to encourage other businesses to get involved with volunteering for Sue Ryder’s Christmas Treecycling scheme this year.

It’s a brilliant initiative that me and my colleagues at Mint Construction have proudly supported for the past two years, and we’re excited to be taking part again this January.

Sue Ryder’s Treecycling campaign in Bedfordshire and borders raises thousands of pounds each year to support families who rely on the charity’s expert palliative care and bereavement services. The concept is simple: residents leave their unwanted Christmas trees outside their homes. When reserving your collection online, you can make an optional donation to help Sue Ryder make sure no one faces death or grief alone.

We work in pairs, and it’s always a great laugh and totally different from other volunteering experiences we’ve had. As loyal supporters of Sue Ryder, it’s something that means a lot to all of us.

To take part, you’ll need a driving licence, and if you have access to a van or two, even better! You’ll also need to be comfortable lifting trees and have a good sense of your local area. This year, collections will take place across MK40, MK41, MK42, MK43, MK44, MK45, PE19, SG15, SG16, SG17, SG18 and SG19 postcode areas between 8-16 January 2025.

We’d really recommend giving it a go - it’s a fantastic way to give back, and the impact both environmentally and for the charity is huge.

If you want to get involved, please visit sueryder.org/treevolunteer

If your company uses Neighbourly, you can find volunteering opportunities for Sue Ryder's Christmas Treecycling collections listed there, helping you calculate your company's impact. Find out more at .neighbourly.com

To find out more about Sue Ryder Christmas Treecycling or to book your collection, visit www.sueryder.org/treebedfordshire

Many thanks,

Gerard Lockey, Mint Construction