Bretby Crematorium donates £15,000 in just six months to help combat dementia
Posted by rob smyth | Published: 24/07/2018
A leading figure in a charity that supports families living with dementia praised the generosity of families who have lost a loved one after being handed a £5,000 donation.
Paul Edwards, Director of Clinical Services at Dementia UK, was given a personal tour around Bretby Crematorium before being handed the cheque as a result of funds raised as part of a national scheme which, with the knowledge and permission from members of a deceased person's family, recycles metals left over once a cremation has taken place.
This latest donation to Central England Co-op’s charitable partner means that Bretby Crematorium has raised £15,000 through the scheme for Dementia UK in just over six months.
Nick French, Crematorium Manager, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Paul from Dementia UK to showcase our wonderful facilities and also to present another cheque for £5,000.
“We would all like to say a big thank you to all of the families who agreed to be part of this scheme as without their generosity we would not be able to make such a difference for people in Burton and South Derbyshire living with dementia.
“Many of our families see backing a charitable scheme like this as a perfect way of creating a lasting legacy for their loved one as well as helping support an extremely worthwhile cause.”
Traditionally any metal left after the cremation process would be given back to relatives or buried, but this scheme allows the crematorium to recycle it 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 funds will be used to help provide specialist support to families affected by dementia through the charity’s Admiral Nurse service and Dementia Helpline.
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.
Mr Edwards said: “I was delighted to visit Bretby Crematorium, meet Nick and his team and learn more about the important role they play in helping families.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the families who backed the charitable scheme, resulting in us being handed a donation of £15,000.
“The money will be used to help people living with dementia and their families and we are ever so grateful for the continued support of everyone involved with Central England Co-op.”
So far, the partnership between Central England Co-op and Dementia UK has seen over £700,000 raised and donated to the charity.
Notes to editors
Picture caption: Bretby Crematorium Manager Nick French with Paul Edwards, Clinical Director at Dementia UK, following a donation of £5,000 to the charity.
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, 10 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 2018.
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 at Central England Co-operative on 01543 414140
Email – publicrelations@centralengland.coop