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Bereaved families raise £140,000 for charity

Bereaved families in Salford have helped raise an incredible £140,000 for charity since 2017.

It is all thanks to a national scheme that recycles metals recovered after cremations.

Cheque presentation at Salford Royal Hospital.

These metals, such as coffin nails, handles, and medical implants like hip or knee replacements, are collected only with the full consent of the bereaved families.

Once safely stored, they are recycled through a national initiative run by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM).

Councillor Barabara Bentham and Councillor Gina Reynolds from Salford City Council presented a cheque for £10,000 to NorthCare Charity, our local NHS charity that supports our NHS colleagues and thousands of patients and families across Salford, Bury, Oldham, and Rochdale receiving care from the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust.

The charity funds innovative equipment, pioneering research, specialist education and training, and patient and colleague wellbeing initiatives across Greater Manchester. This £10,000 donation to NorthCare Charity will specifically support their Palliative, End of Life Care and Bereavement services across the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust.

Councillor Barbara Bentham, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety, said: “The recycling of these metals makes a huge difference to our local charities, and it’s always a great feeling to be able to help them out. A huge thank you must go to all our bereaved families who give their full consent for us to do this important work. Our bereavement services team treat all families with great compassion at one of the most difficult moments of their lives, and we are extremely grateful for their support in helping our local charities.

“To visit the hospital and meet with Alice and Melanie from the Palliative, End of Life Care and Bereavement team was incredibly moving, and I shed a few tears. Listening to the work they do to ensure families spending the final hours with their loved ones feel as comfortable and supported as possible was deeply emotional.

Councillor Gina Reynolds, added: “I was touched by the incredible network of volunteers, including Girl Guides, who have bag pack events, and to date put together 20,000 comfort packs for the North West that contain freshen up supplies such as toothbrushes, combs, and writing items for families who are staying with their loved one at end of life. The bereavement service also receive great support from knitting groups and individuals who kindly knit hearts, teddies and blankets, as well as other local charities that gifts care items, including 4Louis and Freddies Sunshine. They are a credit to this city.”

NorthCare Charity Fundraising Officer, Jessica Bradford, shared “We are incredibly proud of our colleagues and bereavement services teams across the Northern Care Alliance, who are so dedicated and consistently go above and beyond to provide compassionate care and support to patients and families at such a difficult time. It was a privilege to meet with Councillor Bentham, Councillor Reynolds, Luke and Adam, while Alice and Mel shared insights into the work they do and support they’ve received from our communities. The generous £10,000 donation from Agecroft Cemetery will help fund vital items and initiatives that will make a real and lasting difference. We are extremely grateful for this support – thank you so much!” 

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Salford City Council Public Relations team

This article was written by Salford City Council’s communications team, bringing you the latest news and updates from across the city. We’re here to keep residents, businesses, and visitors informed about important council services, local events, and community news.

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About the Cabinet member

More information about Councillor Barbara Bentham

Councillor Barbara Bentham is the Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety.

About the Cabinet member

More information about Councillor Gina Reynolds

Councillor Gina Reynolds is the Executive Support Member for VCSE Strategy and Communities