The British Heart Foundation and Acorns Children’s Hospice have each received £7k from the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM).
Hereford Crematorium takes part in a metals recycling scheme run by the Institute that means valuable metal items, such as artificial joints, can be recovered during the cremation process and melted down for recycling.
This enables Hereford Crematorium to make annual awards to deserving causes, and this year the chosen charities are the British Heart Foundation and Acorns Children’s Hospice, which have each received a donation of £7,000 to support their vital work.
John Gibbon, Direct Services Manager at Hereford Crematorium said: “Thanks to the ICCM’s metal recycling scheme, and the incredible generosity of those who have made the decision to participate, since 2011 we have been able to donate more than £167k to local charities.
“The bids that we received were powerful and highlighted the brilliant work that both organisations carry out on a local and national level. Being part of the Metals Recycling Scheme is a gesture of kindness and we hope that such contributions to good causes are a comfort to those who have lost loved ones.”
Mel Hall, Area Fundraiser for Acorns Children’s Hospice, said: “We’re extremely grateful to Hereford Crematorium for their very generous donation of £7,000. At Acorns, sustainability is a priority for our charity, and the Recycling of Metals scheme is an innovative way to raise funds to help us continue our work caring for local children and families.
“We also recognise and give thanks to all of the bereaved families who have supported the scheme during what must be an extremely difficult time. The legacy their loved ones have left will make a very real difference to local families caring life limited and life threatened children who urgently need our help.
“Every year, Acorns Children’s Hospice supports over 750 children and their families. But there are many more who need us, and help can’t wait. Only with the support of organisations like Hereford Crematorium can we be there when they need us most.”
Gavin Daniels, West Midlands fundraising manager at the British Heart Foundation, said: “We are very grateful to be one of this year’s benefitting charities.
“For more than 60 years, we have funded research that has turned ideas that once seemed like 'science fiction' into treatments and cures that save lives every day. But millions of people are still waiting for the next breakthrough.
“It is only thanks to support like this that we can keep research going and discover the treatments and cures of the future.”
The metals recycling service is provided at no cost to crematoria who have signed up to the scheme and metals are never recycled without the next of kin’s permission.
The Council accepts nominations all year round, so if you would like to put your charity forward for consideration, please email Hereford Crematorium at bereavement@herefordshire.gov.uk or telephone 01432 383200.