Rochdale-based charity Springhill Hospice has been chosen to receive a £12,000 cash boost thanks to a national scheme that recovers and recycles metals left over from cremations.
The scheme, supported by Rochdale Borough Council, collects metals such as artificial joints and coffin fittings to be recycled into new products, generating money for nominated charities, following prior agreement by the family of lost loved ones.
The £12,000 donation raised from cremations has been paid to the hospice, which first opened its doors in 1989. The hospice helps patients and their families cherish every moment, even at the end of life.
Councillor Tricia Ayrton, the council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for climate change and environment, said:
"We are pleased to have played our part once again in the donation of this substantial sum of money, gifted to Springhill Hospice, who work around the clock to care for patients with life-limiting illnesses across our borough.
“We’re also extremely thankful to local families who give us express consent to recycle metals following the loss of a loved one, to allow the generation of funds that make a substantial difference to local charities, such as Springhill Hospice - supporting vital services needed in our local community.”
Jo Ali, community engagement officer at Springhill Hospice, said:
“We are thrilled and grateful to receive this funding for the second time, and our thanks to Rochdale Borough Council for their support in making the application.
“Springhill Hospice needs to raise over £8000 per day from fundraising within our local community to fund all our services, and as we enter the new financial year with a large deficit, raising money is more vital than ever.
“The first award made in 2023 of £12,000 provided a huge boost to us, and the further donation in 2025 will allow us to continue to provide care to so many people in the borough when they need us most, from the inpatient unit to bereavement services.”
The national scheme, managed by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) and Orthometals, has raised over £22 million since 2006.
This round has made 198 separate donations, totalling £1.6 million to good causes across the UK, meaning that 777 different charities have been awarded funds and nearly 3,000 nominations have been made.
If you are a local charity offering bereavement services to borough residents, you can apply to receive a donation in the next round, which will be available later this summer.