SCOUT supporters from Stokesley and surrounding villages will once again be running their annual Christmas tree collection on January 9 and 10 to raise much-needed funds for the cancer-charity, Sarcoma UK.

For the last three years, Scouts from the Leven District have collected Christmas trees when the season is over, in order to raise money for various charities. Last year the collection raised more than £600 for Sarcoma UK, a national charity that funds vital research, offers support for anyone affected by sarcoma cancer and campaigns for better treatments.

The pandemic has had a devastating effect on many charities, as many of their usual routes for fundraising have been blocked by restrictions. Sarcoma UK is the only charity in the UK which focuses on all types of Sarcoma, which can affect any part of the body, so it has launched an urgent appeal for its survival.

For this reason, the organiser of the Christmas tree event, 16-year-old Explorer Scout Jack Turton wanted to raise money for them again this year. “After organising last year’s collection, it became really clear how much of a positive impact Sarcoma UK has made to so many people, including those in the local area, which makes it a cause that the community can really get behind,” he said.

The charity has helped to make the drugs needed available on the NHS and has invested nearly a million pounds in research. It has also setting up a support line and placed Sarcoma in the media spotlight, with a major national awareness campaign.

There have been a number of additional challenges to the Scouts this year to ensure that the Christmas Tree Collection is Covid safe. Changes have been made including using the collected trees for compost and chippings for pathways to ensure that the collection remains one of the most environmentally-friendly ways to dispose of Christmas trees.

This year's collection will take place on the weekend of January 9 and 10 when supporters of the Scouts will be collecting trees from Stokesley, Great Ayton, Hutton Rudby and surrounding villages for a minimum £5 donation to Sarcoma UK. People can book a slot by emailing scoutxmastrees@outlook.com or texting 07572 792946.