A UNIQUE recycling scheme that recycles the metal from orthopaedic implants following cremations has helped the Council to raise £5000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a charity that grants wishes to children fighting life-threatening conditions.

The Councils Bereavement Services team got involved in the recycled metals scheme run by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) to help raise money and be environmentally friendly.

Following a cremation the remains may contain metals from orthopaedic implants such as hip or knee replacements. These metals are recycled through a specialised company contracted by the ICCM with the proceeds shared between a host of charities and organisations, associated with bereavement and bereavement support.

The Council submitted a nomination on behalf of Make-A-Wish to the ICCM for consideration.

The ICCM initiative has been running since 2006 in partnership with a family run Dutch company called Ortho Metals.

Andrew Moring, Councillor for Corporate and Community Support, and Cemetery and Crematorium Operations Manager Stephen Taylor were delighted to have presented £5000 to Natasha Dubash from the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The Foundation grants amazing wishes to children and young people fighting life threatening conditions, from meeting celebrity heroes and amazing holidays to starring in their own film.

Mr Moring said: “It is wonderful to be making a donation to such a worthy cause, to give joy to a child and their family going through an exceptionally difficult time.

“The Make-A-Wish team can help make dreams come true and with this donation they can make another child’s dream a reality.  The council is very happy to support charities that reflect our ethos to make a difference to the community and make the least impact on the environment.

“I would like to thank the families and friends of the deceased who allow us to participate in this scheme and I hope they can find some comfort in the gift their passing has given to another and it will never be forgotten.”

Ms Dubash, added: “The fantastic £5,000 donation that has been raised by Sutton Road Cemetery will be able to fund some of our wishes at Make-A-Wish for children and young people living with life-threatening conditions.

“We want each wish to make a difference to the life of the child, providing them with confidence to fight their condition, strength to cope and hope for the future. Our wishes are as unique as the children that wish them and our wish granters work to ensure each wish is adapted to the specialist needs of the child to give them the most impactful wish as possible.

“In 2017 we want to grant the One True Wish of 1,000 seriously ill children and young people. This donation will ensure another child’s wish is able to come true. We are extremely grateful for the support that we have received from Sutton Road Cemetery through this donation.”

For more information on the Make-A-Wish foundation or to donate please visit their website: www.make-a-wish.org.uk