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St Helena Hospice has received a £12,000 donation, thanks to Colchester Crematorium’s participation in a national recycling scheme.
Each year, the Institute of Crematorium and Cemetery Management (ICCM) scheme, which Colchester Crematorium joined in 2018, asks members to nominate a charity to receive a share of the cash from the combined sale of metals recovered by crematoriums nationwide.
This is the third occasion Colchester crematorium has nominated St Helena Hospice for a donation. Last year, they were presented with a cheque for £10,000.
Under the ICCM scheme hard metals which remain after cremation – such as coffin staples and nails, and medical implants – are recycled with the consent of the family of the deceased.
Cllr Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services & Waste presented the £12,000 cheque to James Martin-Whymark, Engagement Fundraiser at St Helena Hospice, on 15 September.
Cllr Martin Goss said: “I am extremely grateful to ICCM for once again supporting our nomination and awarding St Helena Hospice £12,000 from its metal recycling scheme.
“It can be comforting for families to know, during what is an unbearably difficult time, that the passing of a loved one can contribute to such an important and enduring legacy – both for the charities that benefit financially from the scheme but also by helping to recycle and conserve scarce natural resources.
“I’m certain all the bereaved families who helped make this donation possible will welcome it being used to support the hospice, which does such wonderful work to support and care for people in the final stages of life.”
James Martin-Whymark, Engagement Fundraiser at St Helena Hospice, added: “The care and support patients and their families receive from St Helena is only possible because of the generosity and kindness of fundraisers, volunteers and donors like Colchester Cemetery and Crematorium.
“This wonderful donation will go towards vital services in providing care and support to patients, as well as families, friends, and carers of those facing dying, death, and bereavement across northeast Essex.
“Colchester Cemetery and Crematorium is a regular supporter of St Helena and over the years has donated upwards of £30,000 – St Helena, our patients and their loved ones are forever grateful.”
ICCM’s recycled metals scheme, which launched in 2006 in partnership with Dutch company Orthometals, has raised more than £7m for charities up and down the country since it launched. Read more about the ICCM scheme, here.
Page last reviewed: 21 September 2022