A FESTIVE recycling scheme is branching out into Oldham for the first time.
Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice will collect real Christmas trees across all OL postcodes in January.
The Huddersfield-based charity – which has run its volunteer-powered service in West Yorkshire since 2019 – will be making pick-ups in Saddleworth and surrounding areas between January 6 and 18, 2026.
Residents can book a collection for a minimum donation of £12, with all funds supporting children with life-shortening conditions and their families.
Last year, the scheme recycled more than 2,500 trees and raised over £32,000. The hospice says the expansion makes sense, given the strong community links built since opening its Royton charity shop in 2018.
Georgia Lane, the charity’s fundraising manager, has encouraged people to book early.
“Everyone has a lot to think about at Christmas so we’re urging people to get one job done nice and early this year and book their Christmas tree recycling service with us now.
“All you have to do is place your order online and then you can relax, knowing it’s taken care of. And every penny raised will help us support local children and families. It costs us £6.5 million just to keep the doors open and we have to find 80 per cent of that ourselves.”
If you live in Saddleworth or any OL postcode and would like Forget Me Not to collect your real Christmas tree in the new year, visit www.forgetmenotchild.co.uk/christmas-tree-collections before January 7 and follow the instructions.
Once collected, the trees will be chipped for natural landscaping projects, with some being used at Ogden Water to create natural barriers.
Forget Me Not supports babies and children with life-shortening conditions, offering services ranging from specialist nursing and hydrotherapy to bereavement support.