A COUNCIL has donated more than £4,000 to a dementia charity as part of a crematorium metal recycling scheme.

The cheque was presented to Dementia UK by Mayor of Worcester, Cllr Paul Denham, on behalf of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management.

The donation is a surplus from the institute’s metals recycling scheme, which the city council’s crematorium is part of.

Hilda Hayo, chief executive of Dementia UK, said: “We are extremely grateful for this donation which will help us to provide more support to local families.

“For example £4,000 could help cover the cost of a visit from one of our Admiral Nurses to support 133 families living with dementia.

“Our world-class Admiral Nurses provide specialist one-to-one support and expert advice for families living with dementia, helping them cope with their fear, uncertainty and difficult everyday reality. With increasing awareness of the growing numbers of people diagnosed with dementia it is essential that we grow our support to many more families and help them live more positively with dementia.”

Following cremation, metals from the coffin and from implants, such as hip and knee replacement joints, are left behind. These metals are recycled - with the written consent of each family.

The institute works with councils and charities around the country, with Worcester contributing almost £30,000 to local charities through the scheme.

  • Call the Admiral Nurse Service on 0300 123 1734 for support. Advice is available from Monday to Friday from 10am until 2pm, and noon until 2pm on Wednesdays. The team can also be contacted by email WHCNHS.admiralnurses@nhs.net