A record-breaking £50,000 has been collected by St Richard’s Hospice from its successful Christmas tree recycling campaign.

More than 2,560 Christmas trees were picked up from 15 postcode areas, with the help of 185 volunteers divided into 84 teams.

This year's total, the biggest in the campaign's eight-year history, will support the hospice's work in Worcester.

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St Richard’s Hospice is an independent charity providing critical care for adults with serious progressive illnesses.

It promises to enhance the quality of life for these patients from diagnosis, throughout treatment, and during their final days.

The charity's vital work extends to supporting the patients' significant others and grieving loved ones.

Ria Simons, corporate fundraising lead at St Richard’s, said: "This campaign has gone from strength to strength and I’m blown away to see this year’s record-breaking fundraising total.

"Every penny raised will help us continue to fund our free care for patients living with serious, progressive illnesses, their loved ones and bereaved people right here in Worcestershire.

“Without our brilliant team of volunteers, and mapping company Aptean, the immense task of collecting thousands of trees from addresses across the county would simply not be possible.

“We are so, so grateful to everyone who donated and supported this campaign, making it such a success for our patients and loved ones.”

The tree pick-up operation spanned four days, starting on Sunday, January 7 and including extra collections on Thursday, January 11 and Friday, 12.

Volunteers gathered trees from private premises and businesses alike within the WR1 to WR15 postcode areas.

In addition to Aptean's logistical input, the campaign enjoyed support from St Peters Garden Centre.

Numerous community organisations also contributed volunteers to the cause.

Many supporters of the hospice lent their hands to the collection and recycling process.

The hospice supports over 3,100 patients, family members, and bereaved people in Worcestershire each year.

The running cost, registered as £10.28m for the 2022/2023 audited accounts, includes the expense of patient care and all necessary support services.

The facility depends heavily on donations and legacies for the majority of its funding, with the NHS supplementing the rest.

For more information on St Richard’s Hospice, visit: www.strichards.org.uk.