RESIDENTS are being urged to book now for the annual Dorothy House Hospice Care Christmas Tree collection service.

The fundraising service will run from January10-12 in partnership with the Justhelping charity.

Locals can book their used Christmas tree in now for a charitable donation and Dorothy House supporters and volunteers will pick it up.

The collection is running in 13 local postcode areas BA1,BA2, BA3, BA4, BA11, BA12, BA13, BA14, BA15, SN12, SN13, SN14 and SN15 across Bath, Somerset and Wiltshire.

To book, contact Steph Cox at DHHC at steph.cox@dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk.

Steph Cox, community fundraiser for DHHC, said: “This is our fourth Christmas tree collection and we're looking forward to helping local people recycle their used Christmas trees while also raising vital funds for Dorothy House."

Dorothy House offers a limited capacity collection which relies on volunteers and local businesses so get in touch if you can help by providing a van or volunteers.

Some trees will be chipped and shredded to make reusable materials for the community.

In January 2019 the Hospice’s Christmas Tree Collection raised £26,000. Dorothy House hopes to beat this sum in January 2020.

The scheme is supported by many local businesses providing volunteers and vehicles including Wessex Water in Bath, Rygor in Westbury, Bath ASU in Corsham, Brett Hardy Landscapes, Go Self Drive, Islington Motors, Corsham patio and fencing, Autoguide and Geoghegan Builders. Students from Lackham Agriculture College in Melksham will be helping with tree chipping after the January collection.

Greenhill Tree Care will also be helping to chip trees from the Bradford on Avon area in the Hospice grounds.

Other supporters include paving company, Shaun May and White Horse Disposal in Westbury, SureSet in Warminster, Pearns Tree Services and Inspired Joinery, both from Frome, and the Bradford on Avon Rotary Club.

While 90 per cent of the money raised, after costs, will go to Dorothy House, ten per cent of funds raised will go to other local charities.

Kate Ruberry-Shoemack, Head of People and Communications at Rygor, Mercedes-Benz Dealer group in Westbury, said: “Dorothy House is a charity very close to the heart of our team and we are looking forward to getting involved again with the 2020 Christmas tree collection by providing volunteers, drivers and vehicles.

"It is such a great day out and our team really enjoy being part of this event to help raise money for such a worthy cause.”

To book visit https://charityxmastreecollection.com/ and type in your postcode to check that your area is covered, make a donation and list where your tree will be located.

All trees must be clearly marked with a label saying ‘Dorothy House’ and can be collected from businesses, schools, churches and offices.