A Lincolnshire charity that provides emergency care in critical situations to residents has been given £12,000 to keep vital volunteers on the road.
Lincolnshire Integrated Voluntary Emergency Service (LIVES) received the money from Lea Fields Crematorium, through a national metal recycling scheme.
The ICCM (Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management) Metal Recycling Scheme, was set up so that with the consent from families, orthopaedic implants recovered after cremation are recycled and any money raised is used to give back to bereavement related charities.
West Lindsey District Council, which runs Lea Fields Crematorium has so far donated £71,000 to charities in Lincolnshire thanks to the scheme, since it opened in 2020.
Chairman of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Stephen Bunney, said it was a ‘real privilege’ to meet with representatives and present the money. He said:
“LIVES do incredible work providing emergency care to people in critical circumstances and it is a real privilege to be able to provide them with this cheque.
“Without fantastic schemes like this, metals would have been buried in crematorium grounds, creating potential environmental problems. Recycling ensures that the metals do not contaminate land. A special thank you goes to the bereaved and their families whose decision to recycle is helping to raise much-needed funds for local charities.”
West Lindsey District Council sought nominations for a charity to benefit from the donation, which was chosen by Priestley & Cockett Funeral Directors.
Nicola Holmes, Business Leader at Priestley and Cockett said:
“We are immensely proud to have nominated LIVES charity to receive this fantastic donation. LIVES play a vital role in our community, providing urgent medical assistance, when it matters the most.
“All of the team here at Priestley and Cockett are so grateful to Lea Fields Crematorium for facilitating this donation. We also want to extend our gratitude to the bereaved families who provided their consent during what is undoubtedly a very difficult and sad time.”
LIVES attend 999 medical emergencies across the county, 365 days a year. Whether they are providing rapid first response support on their doorstep, or highly specialised medical interventions to the most seriously ill patients, they all volunteer their time for free to save lives.
Kirsty Raywood, Head of Income for LIVES Lincolnshire said:
“Not only do our Emergency Responders attend 999 medical emergencies; they are there for the family of patients when they need support the most. Suffering a loss is difficult in any situation but our emergency responders are there to try and help make things a little more manageable. LIVES provide the equipment and training to ensure that our Emergency Responders stay on the road.
“We are incredibly grateful for the kind donation of £12,000 from the metal recycling scheme. What an incredible legacy for those people who have donated to the scheme; knowing that the funds raised will ensure that our Emergency Responders can continue to be there for local people when they need help the most.”
Deborah Balsdon, Crematorium Manager at Lea Fields Crematorium highlighted the importance of the scheme. She said:
“We are delighted to be able to support another Lincolnshire charity through the ICCM Metal Recycling Scheme. We are very proud to be part of the recycling scheme and none of this would be possible without the family’s consent.”
Nationally the ICCM recycling Metal Scheme has raised over £13 million for charities since it was created. Other Lincolnshire charities that have benefited from the scheme include; St Barnabas Hospice, St Andrew’s Children Hospice and LIVES.
To find out more about Lea Fields Crematorium, click here.
To find out more about LIVES, click here.