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Treetops was filled with celebration this weekend as staff and volunteers gathered to recognise over 420 years of dedicated service honoured through the charity’s Long Service Awards. 50 staff and volunteers were presented with five and 10-year awards, and one extra-special 25-year award was presented to volunteer gardener, Anne Hopkinson. I feel part of a family here at Treetops Anne said: “It feels unbelievable to get this award really. I don’t know where the 25 years has gone. “I’ve had lots of different roles and seen a lot of change here over the years. I’ve met some wonderful patients and staff here over the years and have many fond memories. I can’t walk anywhere locally without meeting someone I know through Treetops!“I feel part of a family here at Treetops. Even when the weather’s bad, I still want to come and help. I’d encourage anyone to give volunteering a go!” I really enjoy going out to support patients in their own home Wendy Williams, Treetops Healthcare Assistant, also received her 10-year award. Wendy is part of the Treetops Wellbeing at Home team, providing care to local patients who prefer to remain at home during their final days. “I really enjoy going out to support patients in their own home, where they are choosing to die, rather than in hospital.“Just sitting and listening to someone is really important. Patients can find it hard to open up to their families about coming to the end of their life, so they have the chance to express their feelings to us. “It doesn’t feel like I’ve been here ten years. It’s gone really quickly, but I suppose when you really enjoy your job, you’re not counting the days or weeks or years.” [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/about-us/job-vacancies/" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]See our current vacancies[/button] [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]Join us as a volunteer[/button]

Our Treetops Treecycling scheme has raised over £24,000! Over three days, a team of volunteers braved the icy conditions to collect almost 1,300 trees from households across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Tree collections were made in return for a donation towards the hospice. Vic Rocca, our Relationships Manager - Key Events, said:We’re hugely grateful to everyone who registered their tree for collection and supported the scheme. The money raised could help us provide 213 nights of vital nursing care to patients at the very end of life, in their own homes. A record number of 50 local volunteers from across 15 businesses helped collect trees. “I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s been involved in Treecycling this year. Despite the snow and bitterly cold weather, our wonderful volunteers have made sure all the trees have been collected.” Vic continued. “Ward Recycling kindly provided us with skips and is recycling the trees responsibly for us. We really couldn’t do this without everyone’s help. It’s a huge joined-up effort.”

Little does he know, but on Christmas morning, Mr B from Belper will be unwrapping a surprise gift of a charity skydive in aid of Treetops Hospice. The unusual present, from his wife of twelve years, will see Mr B free-falling at over 120mph from 14,000 feet above the local countryside in March 2025 on the Treetops Skydive Day. Mrs B is sure this will be a present ‘he will always remember’, as she explained: I think Mr B may be slightly shocked as it isn't something you expect to get for Christmas, but he’s always said skydiving is something he would love to do but never got round to. “My mum currently has cancer and raising money for a charity that helps support people and their families through such a terrible time seemed a great thing to do. "Every time I have spoken to someone at Treetops, they have been so kind and helpful. I’d like to give something back to the charity, and as I’m not able to skydive myself, my husband doing it is the next best thing! The sponsored Treetops Skydive Day takes place on Saturday 15 March 2025 at Langar Airfield, Nottinghamshire. Claire Mathias, Treetops Relationships Manager – Challenge Events, said: “I really can't wait to hear about Mr B’s reaction, and of course, see him in action on the day. “It’s not too late to grab your own unique present for that one person who’s so hard to buy for at Christmas!” [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/get-involved/challenges/skydive-for-treetops/" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]Find out about the Treetops Skydive Day[/button]

The National Trust has announced Treetops Hospice as one of the recipients of the ‘Trees of Hope’ Sycamore Gap saplings being gifted to individuals, groups, and organisations across the UK. The 49 ‘Trees of Hope’ have been grown from seed from the Sycamore Gap tree which formerly stood in the gap above Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland National Park, until it was illegally felled last September. Treetops will plant the sapling on its 12.5-acre grounds in Risley, Derbyshire. Julie Heath, Treetops Chief Executive, explained how delighted the hospice is to become part of the Sycamore Gap tree’s legacy. Treetops is the only hospice in the East Midlands to be chosen to receive a sapling: "It’s a real honour for us to have been chosen to receive one of the ‘Trees of Hope’ to plant here at Treetops. Our grounds and gardens are incredibly important to us and play a vital role in the wellbeing of hundreds of our patients and counselling clients every year. “Our grounds are also open to the general public and we hope they will visit the sapling when it is planted here next year.” Nearly 500 applications were received for the 49 saplings – one to represent each foot in height that the tree was at the time of felling. The saplings are currently being cared for at the charity’s Plant Conservation Centre. They should be strong enough ready to plant out in winter 2025/26. Andrew Poad, General Manager for the National Trust’s Hadrian Wall properties said: “Each and every application for a ‘Tree of Hope’ told heartfelt stories of people’s emotional connections to the Sycamore Gap tree and the importance of nature. They spoke of loss, hope and regeneration from all four corners of the country, from towns, schools, colleges, community groups, hospitals and hospices, it’s been a privilege to read them all. “The tree meant so much to so many and through the ‘Trees of Hope’ initiative we are helping reach people across the nation, for generations to come. “Each sapling will carry a message of hope with it as they start a new chapter not just for the tree but for all the 49 people and communities that will receive a sapling.” Further information, and the locations of all of the 49 ‘Trees of Hope’ saplings, can be found on the National Trust website here.

East Midlands Airport is lighting up its air traffic control tower until Sunday 8 December, in support of the Treetops Hospice Light up a Life appeal. The annual Light up a Life appeal encourages people to share a memory of a loved one on the hospice’s virtual Christmas tree and make a donation to the local charity. From now until Sunday 8 December, passengers travelling to and from the Castle Donington airport will see the Light up a Life logo projected onto the iconic 51-meter-high tower. Ioan Reed-Aspley, East Midlands Airport’s Head of Corporate Affairs, said: “We’re only too pleased for Treetops Hospice to use our air traffic control tower again to raise awareness for their Light up a Life Appeal. “It’s a wonderful cause and lighting up our tower which can be seen for miles around seems an appropriate way to bring it to everyone’s attention.” Treetops Chief Executive, Julie Heath, added: “We’re very grateful to East Midlands Airport for their continued support. It’s the fourth year that the control tower has been lit up in support of Treetops. “Light up a Life is very special to Treetops, when hundreds of people join us in remembering their loved ones on our virtual Light up a Life Tree. It’s very moving to see all the photos and read the memories being shared. “Proceeds from Light up a Life go towards helping us continue to care for local patients with life-limiting conditions, those who’ve been bereaved, and their families.” Along with a virtual Christmas tree, supporters are also invited to attend the in person Light Up a Life event, at the hospice in Risley on Sunday 8 December. For more information and to share a precious memory of a loved one, head to www.treetops.org.uk/lights or call the hospice on 0115 949 1264.

Treetops Hospice is now taking bookings for their Treecycling service, which is a quick and easy way to recycle a real Christmas tree after the festive period. The Treetops Christmas Treecycling scheme will run from Tuesday 7 to Thursday 9 January 2025. For a recommended donation of £15 or more, Treetops volunteers will collect trees from front gates or driveways throughout Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and take them to designated recycling points. Treetops, based in Risley, provides nursing care and emotional support for adults with life-limiting conditions, those who’ve been bereaved, and their families. Vic Rocca, Treetops Relationships Manager - Key Events, explained that the hospice hopes to recycle 1,500 trees in January: “It’s a hugely popular scheme.  I think it’s because we come to people’s houses – there’s no need to struggle to fit the tree into the car or to deal with messy pine needles everywhere.” Last year, Treetops recycled more than 1,000 trees and raised over £18,000, helping more than 166 patients receive a night of hospice at home care. Treecycling 2025 is sponsored by Rothera Bray LLP, which means more care can be provided from the money raised. “We’re encouraging people to register as soon as possible to ensure we can collect their tree in the New Year” Vic continued. Registration closes at midnight on Sunday 5 January, or earlier if capacity is reached.  

Treetops Hospice, has welcomed the Health Secretary’s commitment to protect hospices from the impact of tax rises, following concerns about a proposed increase in National Insurance Contributions. Based in Risley, the charity, which provides vital care and support to over 2,000 people living with life-limiting illnesses in Derbyshire, relies on fundraising to cover over £4.3 million a year to maintain its services. The recently proposed rise in National Insurance Contributions, announced during the Budget, would add an additional financial burden on the charity, requiring them to raise an extra £120,000 to meet the increased costs. CEO at Treetops Hospice, Julie Heath, said: “We are facing challenging times, and the proposed increase in National Insurance Contributions would have a significant impact on our finances. "As the local hospice serving the people of Derbyshire, we don’t just provide care, we offer a place of comfort and support for families during their most difficult moments. Having to find an additional £120,000 next year to cover these increased costs would put pressure on our ability to deliver the high-quality care we are known for.” Earlier this week, the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting pledged to adjust government grants to ensure hospices, including Treetops, are protected from the financial implications which come with the proposed tax increases. Julie added: “Wes Streeting’s pledge to make sure hospices are protected is welcome news to Treetops. We look forward to hearing more details about the plan before Christmas, and we hope it will help secure the future of hospices across the UK.” Treetops Hospice, the leading end-of-life care charity in Derby, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, provides nursing care and emotional support for adults with life-limiting conditions, those who’ve been bereaved, and their families. Treetops Hospice is doing all it can to continue to support those in most need. The charity welcomes donations to ensure the future of the hospice and its services: www.treetopshospice.org.uk/donate

Local businesses are being urged to give the gift of time this Christmas, to support Treetop Hospice's Treecycling campaign. During 2023, businesses throughout Derbyshire and beyond banded together to support the hospice as part of their Children in Need DIY Big Build, which saw a bespoke counselling unit for children and young people built on the charity's grounds in Risley. Now the charity, which supports over 2,000 people living with life-limiting illnesses, is calling for businesses to once again support them. From 7 to 9 January 2025, the hospice will be collecting real Christmas trees for recycling after the festive period, in return for a donation to the charity. Volunteers with vans collect trees from driveways and bring them to designated recycling points across Southern Derbyshire and neighbouring areas of Nottinghamshire. Vic Rocca, Treetops Key Events Relationships Manager, said:  “Treecycling collections are really fun and can help blow off the cobwebs following the festive feasting period. “Vans or tippers, of Transit size or larger, are required to help the collection. Businesses, families, or community groups with access to these are encouraged to get in touch and provide support. “Volunteers who can offer a day’s help or even a few hours will make a massive difference in collecting all the trees registered over the festive period. “Last year 14 businesses and organisations volunteered for the treecycling scheme. Together they raised over £18,000 helping more than 166 patients receive a night of hospice at home care. “The proceeds raised from Treecycling really make a difference. That’s why we’re on a mission to secure more volunteers and vans, as this will help us to care for even more patients and their families across the local community. “ Interested in volunteering? Please contact Vic Rocca at Treetops on vic@treetops.org.uk or call 0115 949 1264. Treetops Hospice, the leading end-of-life care charity in Derby, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, provides nursing care and emotional support for adults with life-limiting conditions, those who’ve been bereaved, and their families. Treetops Hospice is doing all it can to continue to support those in most need. The charity welcomes donations to ensure the future of the hospice and its services: www.treetopshospice.org.uk/donate

A charity golf day organised by Ilkeston based roofing firm, Advanced Roofing, has proved to be a 'tee-rrific' event raising over £3,500 for Treetops Hospice. Suppliers and local businesses swapped their day jobs for the greens at one of the UK's premier golf destinations, the Forest of Arden Golf Club, for 18-holes followed by an auction. The money raised will help Treetops, the hospice for south Derbyshire and the city of Derby, to care for people with life-limiting illnesses and their family. Lisa Hartshorn, Financial Director at Advanced Roofing said: "It was the first time we organised a corporate golf day and I can’t believe how successful it was. Thanks to the teams who took part and suppliers who donated prizes, we raised an amazing £3,590 for Treetops. We're so pleased with how it went, that we'll be making it an annual event in support of Treetops. Advanced Roofing first got involved in supporting Treetops in September 2023 as part of BBC Children in Need's DIY SOS The Big Build, providing and installing the roof for The Saplings, a bespoke children's bereavement and counselling therapy centre at Treetops. "We were truly honoured to be part of the DIY SOS The Big Build project, and were impressed by the work Treetops do." Lisa added. Treetops' Community Engagement Relationship Manager, Natalie Godrich, said: "We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s taken part in the charity golf day. Their support could help us to provide 100 counselling sessions for local bereaved children or help to fund 35 nights of hospice at home care for local people at the end of life. "We love working with Advanced Roofing and can't wait to continue to grow the relationship; particularly at their annual golf day." If your business is interested in supporting Treetops, please email adela@treetopshospice.org.uk

Vans and volunteers are needed to join Treetops Hospice efforts as the end-of-life charity’s tree recycling scheme returns this Christmas. From the 7 to 9 January 2025, the hospice will be collecting real Christmas trees for recycling after the festive period, in return for a donation to the charity. Volunteers with vans collect trees from driveways and bring them to designated recycling points across Southern Derbyshire and neighbouring areas of Nottinghamshire. Vans or tippers, of Transit size or larger, are required to help the collection. Businesses, families, or community groups with access to these are encouraged to get in touch and provide support. Vic Rocca, Treetops Key Events Relationships Manager, said: "Treecycling collections are really fun and can help blow off the cobwebs following the festive feasting period. “Volunteers who can offer a day’s help or even a few hours will make a massive difference in collecting all the trees registered over the festive period. “The proceeds raised from Treecycling helps us to care for even more patients and their families across the local community. Interested in volunteering? Please contact Vic Rocca at Treetops on vic@treetops.org.uk or call 0115 949 1264. Treetops Hospice, the leading end-of-life care charity in Derby, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, provides nursing care and emotional support for adults with life-limiting conditions, those who’ve been bereaved, and their families. Treetops Hospice is doing all it can to continue to support those in most need. The charity welcomes donations to ensure the future of the hospice and its services: www.treetopshospice.org.uk/donate

This Christmas, Tracey Thurlby-McDevitt will be remembering her late husband Dom with a light on the Treetops Light up a Life Tree. Each year, hundreds of people remember their loved ones with a light. Dom, 44, died in February from cancer. The couple were told Dom had only six months left to live on the anniversary of their first date. Tracey explained more: “We just enjoyed the simple things. We could talk for hours about anything and everything. There were a lot of late-night chats over a bottle of gin at the kitchen table with snacks, putting the world to rights.” Dom’s diagnosis was completely unexpected “One day, he had a seizure at home out of the blue. We rushed him into hospital, and they did scans and tests. They found a mass in his sinus. Because the cancer was so far advanced, surgery wasn’t an option. "It was such a shock. You look back and think, surely, we saw something? He was a fit, 43-year-old. But there was nothing at all." The day after receiving his diagnosis, Dom proposed to Tracey You can plan a wedding in five weeks. But we were also planning a funeral at the same time. It felt bizarre and it was hard. But that was our life. Dom and Tracey were married at Derby Registry Office five weeks later. “It was Dom's choice, but we did delay chemotherapy by a couple of weeks so that we could get married and have a bit of a little bit of honeymoon." We'd been married ten days and then chemo started “So, we'd been married about ten days and then chemo started. it was awful to see him go through that. When you want to help, but you can't.” The couple were determined to make the most of their last six months together. “We made those last six months about what Dom wanted. I thought, ‘we've not got long to do this, so let's make this all about you’. What's on your bucket list? What do you want to do? Let's give you a damn good six months. “I also wanted to celebrate the firsts as a married couple. The first birthday with him as my husband and things like that. But he would easily turn this around to, ‘but this is my last birthday’. Our first married Christmas was our last “Our first married Christmas, we knew was going to be our last. Our plan was to go to Skegness. We were going to take the dog, a picnic, and just go for a walk on the beach. I just wanted to make this a really special memory. But we couldn't go because Dom got sick. So, Christmas was at home, watching telly. But that was fine because we were together. Tracey’s dog, a basset hound called Archie, provided support for Dom. “I’d had him since he was a pup, so Archie was my little shadow, but when I first met Dom, he really took to him. He became Dom’s little support dog. “Archie was a massive comfort to him when he was ill. When Dom came home after chemo, he would lie on the sofa and Archie would just be curled up on the sofa next to him, tucked up in his knees, like a hug.” Dom wanted to die at home and Tracey cared for him “About six weeks before Dom passed, he could no longer manage the stairs. We needed a bed downstairs and cleared out the living room. We tried a couple of nights where I went upstairs to our bed because he knew how shattered I was, but I couldn't rest. So, after just a couple of nights, I was sleeping downstairs on cushions off the sofa, wrapped up in a duvet. I spent about six weeks on the floor next to him. “Archie would curl up on the floor by his head. Dom would hang his arm down so they could touch each other. Archie just wanted to be near him. Treetops nursing care and support “I couldn't leave him on his own. I couldn't leave the house. It got to a stage where he was going down and I thought, I need help here. This is more than what I can do.” Treetops Hospice nurses helped care for Dom during his last three nights. They provided the couple with ‘comfort and peace at a time when I was terrified’, Tracey continued. One of my worries for months had been doing it all on my own, especially towards the end. With the Treetops Hospice nurses, I wasn't on my own. They were just on the end of the phone. It was so reassuring It was the first night I'd been in our bed for six weeks “That first night with the nurse there, I was able to go to bed. It was the first night I'd been in our bed for six weeks. I was knackered. After a proper sleep, I felt I could take on the world. “Dom thought the Treetops nurse was lovely too. It helped him, because it helped me. It gave him a bit of peace as he could see it was taking a lot out of me. He was reassured that I could get the rest that I needed. There were times when I was Dom’s nurse and his carer. But for those few nights, Dom needed a wife, and I could be his wife again. That was a really big thing. Dom died peacefully at home with Tracey and Archie by his side “We were all in the front room. Just us and some candles. Dom was asleep and I was just sat there holding his hand and talking to him. Archie was asleep on the sofa, snoring away. “The moment that Dom passed away, Archie immediately woke up, jumped on his bed, and was pawing at his hand, nudging his hand. It was exactly what he and I needed. It was calm, it was peaceful, it was at home, and he was pain-free. Treetops Light up a Life appeal Tracey is sharing her story for the Treetops Light up a Life appeal, as part of Dom’s ‘legacy’: Dom was very adamant he didn't want to be forgotten. I think he’d be proud of me doing this. Hopefully, it will have a long-lasting impact for Treetops, and other people that are going to need the hospice in the future. Proceeds raised through the Treetops Light up a Life appeal go towards helping the end-of-life charity to care for patients and families in the local community. A special Light up a Life Event will take place at the hospice in Risley on Sunday 8 December. During the event, the Treetops Hospice Christmas lights will be switched on and there will be a moment of quiet reflection to remember loved ones.

Primary schools, sports clubs and community groups are being encouraged to sign up to the Treetops Reindeer Dash, as part of their festive activities and to help support local bereaved children. Treetops official ‘Reindeer’, aka Natalie Godrich, Relationships Manager for Treetops Hospice, will be visiting 70 Derbyshire organisations in the coming weeks to promote this special fundraiser. “It’s wonderful when the children spot me,” Natalie said. “But I can get some odd looks when I leave the house and some double-takes when seen by someone in a car by the side of me.” Reindeer Dash fun The Reindeer Dash is a popular annual fundraiser for Treetops Hospice. The hospice provides every child with a pair of antlers to wear, a sponsorship form, and certificate. Teachers and group leaders decide the date for their Dash and chose the activity for their children, from PE lessons, football matches and discos to children simply dressing up for the day. Supporting local children struggling after the death of a loved one Last year, 4,300 local children took part in the Reindeer Dash, raising over £27,193 together. The money was used to help the end-of-life charity provide bereavement services for children and young people struggling after the death of a loved one. Treetops welcomes more organisations to sign up to the Reindeer Dash and is encouraging parents to put forward the festive and fun event to any clubs or groups their children attend. Children from nurseries and child minders take part in the Reindeer Dash as well as Brownies and Cubs, and dance, drama, and sports clubs all join in the fun. This year, we even have our first Reindeer Dash on horseback!