Wetherby Christmas tree scheme to boost older people charity’s services after shortfall

Wetherby’s leading older persons charity is providing a Christmas tree removal service for the second year running, after last year’s collection boosted the pot for one of its most popular services.

Due to a policy change, Wetherby in Support of the Elderly’s (WiSE) Grass Cutting scheme’s annual £40,000 funding from BBC Children in Need ended this March – leaving a huge financial shortfall.

To help, last year WiSE collected 110 Christmas trees as an extra service for winter work for the Grass Cutting Scheme – and hopes the scheme will be as successful this year.

Mark Dobson, Chief Operating Officer at WiSE, said: “For years we have worked in partnership with Wetherby Young Offenders Institute to provide a grass cutting service for older people who find it difficult to maintain their lawns.

“This service is extremely popular and currently full. However, our massive financial deficit has been a challenge, so we are doing all we can to fill the gap.

“Therefore, to raise funds for our Grass Cutting Scheme, we are once again offering the collection of real Christmas trees in January.

"Real trees are beautiful, but once Christmas is over they are a pain to dispose of. We are hoping that people take up this service again this year all in the name of a good cause.” 

WiSE are charging a £10 minimum donation to remove a tree which can be any size. The tree will need to be outside prior to the collection date from anywhere within the WiSE catchment area. This service is not limited to the over 60s.

To book a collection, please book and pay online at https://shorturl.at/2vzZE