A Worcestershire charity has launched its fourth Christmas tree recycling campaign to raise vital funds for those facing childhood cancer. 

The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust (GKCCT), which supports families in Kidderminster, Bewdley, Stourport and the surrounding areas, is urging residents to donate their unwanted trees as part of its 'Treecycling' scheme.

This year, the campaign is being sponsored by West Midland Safari Park (WMSP) where the popular attraction will act as a drop-off point for the Wyre Forest area. 

The organisation will also be using the recycled chippings as bedding for the Asian Rhinos and other animals. 

Kidderminster Shuttle: Coralie Hudson feeds Rap the rhino Coralie Hudson feeds Rap the rhino (Image: GKCCT)

Fundraiser at the GKCCT, Coralie Hudson, said: "It's wonderful to have West Midland Safari Park onboard this year and we are so grateful to every one of our supporters. 

"It's a wonderful feeling to be able to offer something back to our community by taking the hassle out of battling your tree into the car to take to the tip with the bonus of being environmentally friendly. 

"We are thrilled that the Wyre Forest tree chippings will be used for the rhinos and it was fabulous to be invited down to come and meet these majestic animals." 

The 2024 campaign is also being supported by local business collectors and chippers including Track Pod, Shires Tree Surgery, Conquest Paving and Landscapes, Middlebrook Media and many more. 

The charity's volunteers will be collecting the trees from people's homes to be recycled from Saturday, January 9 to Tuesday, January 12 across Worcestershire. 

The team are collecting in the following areas: 

DY9, DY10, DY11, DY12 and DY13.

WR1, WR2, WR3, WR4, WR5, WR6, WR7, WR8, WR9, WR10, WR11, WR12, St John's Worcester and the villages local to the charity including Crowle, Upton Snodsbury, Broughton Hackett. White Ladies Aston and Drakes Broughton. 

B45, B48, B49, B60, B80, B95, B96, B97, B98, Barnt Green, Alvechurch, Feckenham and Inkberrow. 

Kidderminster Shuttle: From left to right: Coralie Hudson and Charlotte Stokes feeding Rap the rhinoFrom left to right: Coralie Hudson and Charlotte Stokes feeding Rap the rhino (Image: GKCCT)

The Trust receives no statutory funding so is reliant on supporters to help them raise £600,000 each year to continue its vital work. 

Head of operations at WMSP, Charlotte Stokes, added: "We are delighted to be able to support such an incredible fundraising idea and for such an important cause.

"When I first met the Grace Kelly team, they talked about how the children of today all deserve a tomorrow and this is true, whether we are discussing children's health or the future of their planet."

To book a collection register your tree with the charity at www.gkcct.org/treecycle 

Bookings close on Tuesday, January 2 at 5pm.