Jensen woodchippers were on hand this month to support a fundraising event which raised over £12,000 for charity.
Dorothy House, who offer end of life care to patients with terminal illnesses, and Wiltshire College joined forces for the second time in January 2018 for a Christmas tree collection and recycling scheme.
In total, supporters and volunteers collected more than 1,500 real Christmas trees, 300 of which were delivered to Wiltshire College’s Lackham campus, which specialises in land-based training courses.
Wiltshire College students then had the chance to learn a new skill, working with Bill Johnston from T H WHITE Machinery Imports to chip all the trees and learn about the safe use and maintenance of woodchippers.
The students were provided a Jensen A540 chipper for the duration of the event, chipping all 300 trees which will now be used for pathways around the college campus.
Bill, who also helped during the event last year, said: “I was really pleased to be involved once again to bring along the Jensen chipper and demonstrate its safe use as well as provide ongoing maintenance.
“Slightly different to last year, this year the students had the chance to use the A540, which is Jensen’s best-selling machine.”
Anthony Cockell, Head Gardener at Lackham, said: “It’s a privilege for the College to play a part in what is a fast-growing fundraising scheme for Dorothy House. Of course, this means our students get the chance for further training and this time with the world’s best woodchipper built by Jensen!
“Bill supported us again with a first-class demonstration of the mechanics and operation for five classes. We owe him our thanks for his time and value it gave our students here at Lackham.”
Steph Cox, is a Community Fundraiser for Dorothy House and said: “We are over the moon to have raised £12,800, twice the amount raised last year.
“It is such a great feeling knowing that the local community has been so supporting by donating their Christmas trees and that this benefits students at Wiltshire College who not only learn how to chip trees, but the best use for them.”
