On Saturday 4th January, a fleet of vans will be visiting Aycliffe residents collecting used Christmas trees in return for a donation to Darlington’s St. Teresa’s Hospice.

Over 70 volunteers from Darlington Rotary Club have borrowed 20 large vans to collect, hopefully around 2000 trees from the Darlington and Newton Aycliffe area, to raise much needed hospice funds.

“In return for a minimum £6 donation, we take away your tree and recycle it into garden fertilizer,” said Rotary organiser David Hayward.

“This is a win-win venture,” he said. “No mess for the homeowner and up to £10,000 raised for the hospice in just one day.”

Vans are being borrowed from Darlington Council, plus hire companies Enterprise and Charter, with the collection run from Darlington’s Drive Vauxhall Garage.

Over the 10 years since the idea was conceived, the Rotary Club has collected over 7000 trees raising £47,000 for the hospice.

To register your tree please visit www.darlingtonhospice.org.uk or phone 01325 254321 before 2nd January.