The annual service, sponsored by Mitchell Building Contractors, raises funds for Hospice and recycles trees into soil fertiliser for local agriculture.
Last weekend a team of over 60 volunteers collected trees from households and businesses around the Island.
The trees were dropped off and turned into chippings, which were delivered to La Collette for recycling.
Scott Douglas, events co-ordinator for the charity, said: ‘It was amazing to see this support from Islanders at the start of the new year from both those who signed up to have their tree collected and our amazing team of volunteers.’
He added: ‘In previous years volunteers enjoyed jumping into vans together and catching up for a hot chocolate throughout the day – there’s always a real sense of community. But this year we had to find pairs of volunteers from the same household and carefully designate vans.’
With many regular fundraising events still cancelled and postponed due to the effects of Covid-19, the record-breaking year for the collection service gives the charity much-needed funds for 2021.
The event will help fund a full two days of specialist care, which currently costs over £20,000 a day. This includes care for Islanders at Hospice’s in-patient unit, at home, at the Hospital and in residential settings, and emotional and bereavement support.
Jersey Hospice has launched a second initiative this month, called Every Step Counts, asking people to walk the equivalent number of steps it takes to ascend Mount Everest or Mount Kilimanjaro while raising money through sponsorship.
More information about the challenge is available at jerseyhospicecare.com.
