Bretby Crematorium raises more than ever before for charity thanks to generosity of families who have lost a loved one
Posted by james brindle | Published: 05/12/2019
A total of £43,000 has now been donated by a South Derbyshire crematorium to charity Dementia UK – the most it has ever donated to a good cause – thanks to the generosity of families who have lost a loved one.
The money has been donated by Bretby Crematorium to Central England Co-op’s corporate charity through a national scheme which, with the knowledge and permission of a deceased person’s family, recycles metals left over once a cremation has taken place.
The scheme allows the crematorium to recycle the metals and use the funds to boost charitable causes.
The process is undertaken with respect and dignity and is clearly explained to the families when they are making the funeral arrangements.
The latest donation of £8,000 given to the charity brings the overall total received by Dementia UK from the crematorium to £43,000, more than it has ever donated to a corporate charity.
Nick French, Crematorium Manager, said: “Being able to use these record funds raised through this scheme to support Dementia UK and to see the tangible benefits the money has already brought to families living with the condition has been so rewarding.
“We would all like to say a big thank you to all of the families who agreed to be part of this scheme. We fully understand that at such a difficult time it is a tough sell for families to think about agreeing to something like this.
“However, it shows just how much Dementia UK as a cause has really resonated with families that so many have been happy to support the charity and many of our families see this as a perfect way of creating a lasting legacy for their loved one.
“Without their generosity we would not be able to make such a difference for people in Burton and South Derbyshire living with dementia.”
Paul Edwards, Director of Clinical Services at Dementia UK visited the Crematorium to accept the donation on behalf of Dementia UK and personally thank the team.
The funds are being used to help provide specialist support to families affected by dementia through the charity’s Admiral Nurse service and its Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline.
Dr. Hilda Hayo, CEO and Chief Admiral Nurse at Dementia UK, said: “Dementia is one of the biggest health issues of our time. The condition can isolate families and put significant emotional and practical strains on them. What families urgently need is the specialist dementia support in the here and now to help them navigate through these challenges and give them the confidence for the future.
“The funds raised from Bretby Crematorium will allow us to do just that – we cannot thank the generosity of the families involved as well as the continued efforts from our partners at Central England Co-operative enough.”
Admiral Nurses work alongside people with dementia and their families and offer one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions so they can face dementia with more confidence and less fear.
The Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline is available on 0800 888 6678 to anyone with queries or concerns about dementia. It is staffed entirely by Admiral Nurses, to ensure those with dementia and those caring for them get the best possible care and advice.
Central England Co-op is now in its third year of supporting Dementia UK, donating more than £1.1 million to the cause so far.
Notes to editors
About Central England Co-operative
Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK.
It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with the Society’s principal areas of activity being food, funeral services, and property.
The company’s funeral business consists of over 120 funeral homes across 16 counties, nine florists, masonry production and administration, Bretby Crematorium and Terry Smiths coffin factory.
Central England Co-operative has more than 430 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
The Society has an ambitious food store and funeral home development programme for 2019.
Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility. It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence. The Society supports a number of charities including Dementia UK and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.
Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to members activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate.
Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop
For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, @mycooplife and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative
Rob Smyth and James Brindle at Central England Co-operative on 01543 414140
Email – publicrelations@centralengland.coop
About Dementia UK
Dementia UK provides specialist dementia support for families through its Admiral Nurse service.
If you need advice or support on living with dementia contact Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678 or email helpline@dementiauk.org. The Helpline is staffed by experienced Admiral Nurses, who give vital support by telephone or email.
Dementia UK’s website can be found at https://www.dementiauk.org/. You can also follow Dementia UK on Twitter: @DementiaUK, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DementiaUK1/ and Instagram: @dementia_uk