HSM supports Rowans Hospice fundraiser

A team from HSM volunteered at the Rowans Hospice last week to assist with the Christmas tree collection initiative, which raises money to fund the amazing work the Hospice does.

The practical, community-led fundraiser helps generate vital funds whilst also offering local residents a convenient and environmentally responsible way to dispose of their real Christmas trees after the festive period. 

Carl said: “We were so pleased to support this fundraiser as it provides a helpful service to the local community, whilst also raising money to support the Hospice, a vital local resource for those facing life-limiting or terminal illnesses.”

Households across the local area are invited to register their real Christmas tree for collection in return for a suggested donation of £20, though higher or lower donations are well received too. Registration cuts off a few days before the collection start date and once registered, residents must leave their tree on the path in front of their property - in an unobstructive way - by 8am on collection day.

Volunteers then collect the trees directly from outside homes, saving residents the hassle of transporting large or awkward trees themselves - and avoiding all those needles in their cars!

The initiative, which is now in its second year, ran from Thursday 8th to Saturday 10th January. HSM’s Sales and Marketing Manager Carl Benfield and Operations Manager Tony Molloy covered Thursday the 8th, with Managing Director Paul Rabbetts and Accounts & HR Manager Jolene Towner covering Friday the 9th.

The trees are taken for recycling, where they are responsibly processed and repurposed, often turned into mulch or compost rather than being sent to landfill, ensuring a positive environmental impact. 

The success of the fundraiser relies heavily on organisation, local knowledge and a strong volunteer network. Collection routes are carefully planned to maximise efficiency, allowing as many trees as possible to be collected over a short period of time. This not only reduces emissions from vehicles but also ensures volunteers’ time is utilised efficiently. 

Rowans Hospice, which is based in Purbrook, Hampshire, delivers high-quality palliative and end-of-life care for people living with life-limiting illnesses across South East Hampshire. Their specialist hospice team is dedicated to improving quality of life by managing physical symptoms while also providing emotional, psychological, spiritual and social support to patients and those closest to them.

Care is available 24 hours a day, whether in the hospice itself, in patients’ own homes, or through day services at the Living Well Centre. All care provided by Rowans Hospice is free of charge. As a registered charity, around 90 percent of its income comes from legacies, donations, fundraising activities and its network of retail shops. The generosity of supporters and the wider community enables the hospice to continue offering this vital care and to make a meaningful difference to the lives of so many local families.

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