Dobbies gives free Christmas trees to 300 schools and nurseries

Dobbies has announced that more than 300 nursery groups and local schools across the country are set to receive a free real Christmas tree as part of its Not Your Average Community campaign, in partnership with sustainable tree grower Needlefresh. 

Dobbies’ Christmas campaign is all about supporting communities local to its stores, spreading yuletide cheer to nurseries and schools in the run up to the festivities. 

Schools and nurseries from across the UK were invited to nominate themselves to receive a real Christmas tree donation. Sixty nine percent of entries were from nurseries and 31% were schools, seeing the highest overall number of entries for Dobbies new flagship store in Antrim. 

Each store will welcome the winners to come along to choose a Nordmann Fir tree, making sure children across the country can experience the magic of Christmas. 

Dobbies’ CSR and Community Communications Executive, Chloë Bell, is delighted with the response to Dobbies’ Not Your Average Community campaign: “We’re amazed by the number of entries and nominations for this year’s campaign and would like to thank everyone for spending the time to get involved," she says.

“Christmas marks a magical moment in our childhoods, and we’re thrilled to be bringing some festive cheer to young members in our communities this year. Needlefresh has made this campaign possible with their generous support, and we’d like to extend our thanks to George and his team for all their hard work. A huge thank you to our stores for all their help and hard work supporting their local communities.”

Needlefresh Managing Director, George Hood, adds: “Our sustainable Nordmann Fir Christmas trees make a wonderful centrepiece to festive celebrations, and we’re excited to see how the kids bring this classic tree to life. It’s a pleasure to be supporting so many nurseries and schools across the country this year in partnership with Dobbies.”

Colette Haddock, Headteacher from Merrylee Primary School, says: “We are thrilled to have received a donation of a Christmas tree from Dobbies Garden Centres, we can’t wait to get the pupils together to decorate it with their handmade decorations that will make our winter time celebrations with parents, carers and the local community extra special this year.”   

All of Dobbies’ Christmas trees are sustainably grown in environmentally managed fields across Scotland where the growing team do everything from planting, pruning and harvesting by hand to reduce the impact on surrounding environment, wildlife and plants. 

Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies Garden Centres, recommends positioning your real Christmas trees in a cool, dry place inside away from any direct heat, use a water holding stand and check the water levels daily and top up as required to keep your tree looking fresh throughout the festive period.   

Image credit: Jeff Holmes

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