Alpaca brings festive cheer to hospice as Christmas Tree Collection opens
On Friday afternoon, Reggie the alpaca, along with his friends Joey, Alan and Calippo the goat from Barefoot Barns, brought smiles and festive cheer to Salisbury Hospice patients, families and staff. The Alpacas visit marked the official launch of the muchloved Christmas Tree Collection and Recycling Scheme, with online registration opening today. The scheme, in partnership with JustHelping and proudly sponsored by Sampson Coward, provides a simple way to recycle your real Christmas tree while supporting Salisbury Hospice Charity and the local community. In exchange for a donation, volunteers will collect and recycle your tree, taking one less task off your postChristmas to-do list. By registering your tree, you’re not only helping to provide essential care to patients and families in need of end-of-life care, but you’re also making a positive environmental impact. The collected trees are donated to local farms where they are chipped for compost, animal bedding, or even used to feed alpacas and goats! After costs, 90% of the funds raised will directly benefit Salisbury Hospice Charity, while the remaining 10% will be distributed to charities in the local community, including Salisbury & South Wilts Scouts. The Christmas Tree Collection will take place from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th January, across the following postcode areas: SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, SP5, SP6, SP7, SP9, SO20 6, and SO20 8, with volunteers collecting trees from 8 am each day. The scheme is run in partnership with JustHelping, a charity which helps support volunteers, businesses, and charities to contribute to the local community and the environment. JustHelping's national Christmas tree collection raises essential funds for hospices and communities throughout the country. This year’s Christmas Tree Collection is proudly sponsored by Sampson Coward, whose generous support helps make the event possible. Supported by Barefoot 2 Barns, Stump Grinders, Ockenden Tree Services, Walsh Tree Services and Newbourne Farm Composting. Lin Cumberlin, Family Lawyer at Sampson Coward Solicitors, commented: “As part of our sponsorship of this event we have visited Salisbury Hospice and seen at first hand the amazing work they do. The funds raised in events such as this are vital to the Hospice and so we are delighted to be helping make it happen. Members of our staff will be assisting with the collection and we look forward to seeing you following what we hope is a happy and healthy festive season for us all.” To have your tree collected and recycled, simply register your tree online at www.charityxmastreecollection.com or call 01722 416353 by 6th January 2025
