Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) Charity launched the initiative for the first time in late 2025.
Volunteers from five local businesses donated their time to collect the trees from across South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire on 9 January.
Sarah Dunning, Fundraising Manager for DBTH Charity, said: “We couldn’t have done the collections without our volunteers, and we are incredibly grateful to them for giving up their time, providing vehicles and lending a helping hand throughout the day.”
Members of DBTH Charity along with volunteers from NG Bailey, Sycon Contract, QC Electrical and Vinci Construction – all of whom are currently working on the new Critical Care department at Doncaster Royal Infirmary – and SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK came together in near freezing temperatures, ready for some heavy tree-lifting.
Shane Atkins, SUEZ General Manager in Doncaster, said: “Supporting the local community is really important to us.
“SUEZ gives its staff a day a year to volunteer to support causes that matter to them, and the team and I were really pleased to be able to support this Christmas tree recycling scheme which not only benefited the hospital, but also local rescue animals.”
All 80 trees were eventually donated to Hearts & Hooves Rescue Centre, a farm animal rescue and rehabilitation centre in Doncaster, and the Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
Of the funds raised, 15% was donated to Hearts & Hooves to continue their work and the recycled trees will contribute to repairing hedgerows, making compost and caring for the animals, explained Sarah Jenkins, Founder and CEO of Hearts & Hooves.
Sarah said: “The donated Christmas trees have been a brilliant addition for our animals. They provide natural enrichment, nutrition, and stimulation, and it’s wonderful to see something that might have gone to waste being put to such good use.
“The funds raised through this initiative will go directly towards essential care and improvements at the rescue, including feed, veterinary support, and safe fencing for our horses, goats, alpaca, llama, chickens, ducks, sheep, and even our cow.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity shown to us, and it’s heartwarming to see our community come together to support the wellbeing of these animals.”
DBTH Charity will use the funds raised to enable a multitude of projects across the Trust including, but not limited to, improvements to patient comfort, enhancements to services and providing resources for staff wellbeing.
Adrian Petts, Head of Charity for DBTH Charity, said: “It was important to us to find as many environmentally friendly and unique ways to recycle the trees.
“We were blown away by the support for this first tree recycling scheme. From families and neighbours to volunteers giving up their time, people really came together to make it happen.
“Every tree collected and every donation made will help us continue funding projects that make a genuine difference to patients, their loved ones and the teams who care for them.
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who got involved and we’re already making plans for 2027.”
If you would like to volunteer at next year’s tree collections, get in touch with our charity team by emailing dbth.charity@nhs.net or call 01302 648282.
About DBTH Charity:
Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals’ Charity is the official charity which supports Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Trust to go above and beyond by providing additional equipment, services and amenities for our patients, visitors and staff which cannot be funded by the NHS alone.
These additional extras would not be possible without the support of our community. With your help, we can continue to work with our Trust to fund innovative and exciting projects that make a difference to our patients, their families and our colleagues who care for them.
Visit the charity website to find out more: https://dbthcharity.co.uk/