A Lincolnshire Charity that provides compassionate care and support to people of all ages affected by a life-limiting or terminal condition has been given £14,000.
St Andrew’s Hospice 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.
Tina Doyley, Charity Fundraiser and Events Co-ordinator at St Andrew’s Hospice expressed her delight at the cheque and what it means to the charity. She said:
“We look to make each day count for people with life limiting illnesses and support those who care for them. We are always looking for volunteers, whether that is in our shops or for fundraisers.”
Chairman of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Stephen Bunney chose the charity and said it was a ‘real privilege’ to meet with representatives and present the money. He said:
“St Andrew’s Hospice do incredible work providing palliative care and support services to both patients and families and it is real privilege to be able to provide them with this cheque.
“Without schemes like this, the metals would have been buried in crematorium grounds, creating environmental problems. By recycling, it guarantees that the metals do not contaminate the land. A special thank you goes out to the bereaved and their families who have made the decision to recycle, which is helping to raise funds for local charities that is very appreciated and needed.”
Deborah Balsdon, Crematorium Manager at Lea Fields Crematorium highlighted the importance of the scheme. She said:
“We are pleased 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 the money we have donated to Lincolnshire charities to date. None of this would be possible without the family’s consent.”
Find out more about the crematorium on the Lea Fields Crematorium website.
The cheque was presented at Festival Hall in Market Rasen followed by a community lunch.
Resident Joe Willish, presented everyone with this lovely poem:
Christmas Long Ago!
Frosty days, and icy-still nights,
Fir trees trimmed with tiny lights,
Sounds of sleigh bells in the snow,
That was our Christmas long ago.
Rides on sleds and shouts of glee,
Icy-window filigree,
Sugary plums and candle glow,
Part of our Christmas long ago.
Footsteps stealthy on the stairs,
Sweet voiced carols in the air,
Stockings hanging in a row,
That was our Christmas long ago.
Starry nights so still and blue,
Good friends calling out to you,
Life, in fact, will always slow
For dreams our Christmas long ago.