Funeral staff to tackle marathon walk across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to support Dementia UK
Posted by rob smyth | Published: 22/05/2019
Four colleagues from Funeral Homes across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are set to complete a marathon charity walk covering a distance of 26 miles to raise funds for Dementia UK.
The quartet from Central England Co-op Funeralcare will be embarking on the challenge on May 31 to raise money for the Society’s corporate charity, having been inspired by visits to a local nursing home.
The group will start off on their marathon walk from the Central England Co-op Funeral Home in Ilkeston, before stopping off at Funeral Homes and Food Stores belonging to the Society in Eastwood, Heanor, Belper, Ripley and Somercotes along the route to give colleagues and customers the opportunity to donate.
Sheena Powell, Funeral Administrator at A Storer and Sons, in Somercotes, said she had been keen for her and her colleagues to take on a challenge for Dementia UK having enjoyed rewarding interactions with dementia patients at a local nursing home.
She said: “We really enjoy going out into our local community, interacting with people and talking to people about what we do and breaking those taboos around funerals and death.
“We have done some really rewarding visits to a local nursing home in Morton, where many of their residents have dementia. We have gone in there and put on activities for the residents which have proved really successful and inspiring for us as well.
“Last year we did something called Timeless Games, where we took in hula hoops, soft balls, skittles and even an indoor golf course my son made – all activities the residents could do sitting down. We gave the winners a trophy and a certificate and they really loved it.
“We also did a musical memories day, playing music from different eras. There were residents there who normally wouldn’t talk or interact but all joined in singing along – it was very emotional to see and you can’t help but be inspired.
“So many people are affected by dementia in some way and with Dementia UK being Central England Co-op Funeralcare’s corporate charity we were really inspired to take on a challenge – and this certainly will be that!”
If you would like to donate to the cause you can pick up a sponsor form at A Storer and Sons Funeral Home, in Nottingham Road, Somercotes, or visit the teams JustGiving page at http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sheena-powell
They will also be collecting donations as they go during the challenge on May 31.
Notes to editors
Picture caption: Colleagues from Central England Co-op Funeralcare are taking on a charity challenge for Dementia UK.
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