Airport boosts hospice’s environmental plans

A grant of £20,000 from East Midlands Airport has helped Treetops Hospice install solar panels at its site.

The money was made available from EMA’s Community Fund, as part of a pilot project to support community, charity and voluntary sector organisations to make the transition to more sustainable energy use.

It is anticipated that the 42 solar panels at the hospice’s Risley site will generate over 80% of the electricity expected to be used.

Julie Heath, chief executive at Treetops, said: “We are very committed to playing a responsible role in the local community, including developing and delivering our environmental policy.

“The grant from East Midlands Airport kickstarts our plans to introduce greener ways of working in the future.

“The solar panels should help us save up to £2,000 every year in energy costs.

“This is the equivalent amount we must raise to provide 20 nights of end-of-life nursing care for local patients.”