The cheque was presented to Blackpool Carers Centre by Councillor Neal Brookes, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for cemeteries and the crematorium on behalf of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM).
The charitable Metal Recycling Scheme run by the ICCM, involves the sale of recycled metal materials recovered following cremations, such as hip and knee replacements.
In the past, this metal was removed and buried in the grounds of the crematorium but this is less acceptable on environmental grounds.
Families give their permission for the residual metals to be recycled via the nationally recognised scheme. Proceeds are shared between members such as Blackpool Council to donate to a charity of their choice.
The metals are collected by a specialist company called Orthometals who are responsible for collecting the metals from all the crematoria who are taking part in the scheme.
Blackpool Carers Centre supports unpaid carers of all ages (from the age of 5) who are providing care for loved ones due to illness, disability, mental ill health or substance misuse. They support some of Blackpool’s most vulnerable and complex families who are in particularly difficult circumstances and currently have over 8000 carers registered with the service.
The onset of the pandemic and subsequent restrictions impacted heavily on carers, limiting their access to vital support and creating unmanageable situations for many particularly where palliative care is being provided. The delay in diagnoses and treatment has created more intense caring circumstances for many where they are supporting carers to plan ‘end of life’ care. Blackpool Carers Centre continue to support carers for up to 12 months following bereavement.
Terry Hodkinson, Blackpool Carers Centre Head of Business Development and Fundraising said:
Councillor Neal Brookes, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibilities for cemeteries and the crematorium, said: