The first Saturday of the New Year saw Bishop Auckland Rotarians supporting the Butterwick Hospice in its Fundraising by collecting Christmas trees for re-cycling.
Rotarian Bill Robson liaised with Helen Shaw from the Butterwick Hospice to contact people in the Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor and Crook areas who wished to recycle their Christmas trees for a small charge, and in so doing help Butterwick raise much-needed funds.
Bill was ably assisted by Richard Beal, a Butterwick volunteer and Rotarians Nigel Bell and John Yeomans.
John and his 16-year-old grandson, Joe Ellerton were in the advance party shifting trees from gardens and cul-de-sacs to the main streets.
“Having a strong, nimble young man in the team was a godsend to us much older guys,” said John.
Bill was the driver of the van which was kindly loaned by Tommy Holmes of Etherley Moor Garage.
After collecting the trees they were dropped at Woodhouse Lane allotments where Matthew Turnbull was on stand-by with his giant chipping machine. The chippings will be used in the allotments to line paths.
All monies raised from this activity have been handed over to the Butterwick Hospice.
The Rotary Club would like to thank all those who participated in such a successful and worthwhile activity. Keep your eyes open for next year’s collection.
Bishop Auckland Rotary Club meets weekly at the Golf Club on Tuesday’s from 6:15pm.
If you are interested in finding out more about them (their motto is “Service above Self”) you can contact their secretary Dave Fletcher-Smith on 07491 685060.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
