Shooting Star’s 2026 Christmas tree collection shines brighter than ever

Shooting Star’s annual Christmas tree collection has celebrated a record‑breaking year, with the 2026 campaign becoming Shooting Star’s most successful to date. An impressive 1,081 trees were registered, (305 more than last year!), raising over £31,000 to support children and families who depend on our vital care.

Across the GU, KT and TW postcodes, over 50 volunteers were out in vans at the beginning of the week, collecting trees come rain or shine. Their enthusiasm and dedication ensured a smooth operation from start to finish, turning every tree into meaningful support for local families.

A key part of the collection’s success continues to be our strong partnerships. All trees collected in the GU area were transported to Merrist Wood College, where arboriculture students chipped them as part of their practical training. The hands‑on experience was made possible thanks to the generous support of Graham Benton Arboriculture and Makita, who provided expertise and equipment to enhance the learning process.

Meanwhile, trees gathered in the TW and KT postcodes were taken to Shooting Star House, where The Tree Agency once again stepped in to chip them. Both Merrist Wood College and The Tree Agency have supported the collection since its launch four years ago, and their continued commitment remains central to the project’s growth.

Chipping the trees reduces their carbon footprint by around 80%, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to landfill while saving residents a trip to the tip, and sparing their cars from the inevitable trail of needles.

Volunteers were kept well fed and watered thanks to the generosity of Surplus to Supper, who provided a brilliant selection of snacks and drinks to keep everyone fuelled throughout the tree collection rounds.

Special thanks must go to Ridge & Partners for sponsoring our collection, to Surplus to Supper for keeping everyone fuelled with refreshments, and to Merrist Wood College and The Tree Agency for facilitating the chipping. We’re also grateful to JustHelping, who we partner with to deliver the collection each year. And of course, our heartfelt thanks go to the incredible volunteers from Ellis Wines, Sky, Burbeck Interiors, Kier, Galliford Try, Drainline, Zone Contractors and Lynch Plant Hire, as well as Tim, Mark, Katie and Gary, whose hard work made the whole effort possible.

Ellie Constable, Corporate Relationships Manager at Shooting Star commented: “The Christmas tree collections are one of my favourite projects of the year. They showcase incredible community spirit, bringing volunteers and local partners together to provide a genuinely helpful service for residents. Not only does the scheme make recycling easy and environmentally responsible, it’s mostly powered by volunteers who give their time so generously. Most importantly, every tree collected helps us raise vital funds for children and families facing the unimaginable, and that’s what makes this effort so meaningful.”

Above all, Shooting Star is incredibly grateful to everyone who registered a tree, spread the word, or volunteered their time. Their support ensures we can continue providing essential care when families need it most.