The British Heart Foundation is the latest charity to benefit from a donation of £12,000, following the sale of recyclable metals collected at Grimsby Crematorium.
The Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) Metals Recycling Scheme has been in operation since 2014, collecting recyclable metals such as parts of the coffin and replacement implants or joints that can be salvaged following a cremation.
Proceeds from the sale of the metal go into a charity fund, which is donated twice a year.
Melanie Meik, Community Engagement and Fundraising Manager at the British Heart Foundation (BHF) for Lincolnshire and Rutland, said: “The money donated will help the British Heart Foundation fund vital research into heart and circulatory diseases like heart attacks, stroke and vascular dementia, and the risk factors that can cause them, such as diabetes and high blood pressure impacting the 160,000 people living with these conditions in Lincolnshire.
“Since forming in 1961, the British Heart Foundation has funded research that has contributed to lifesaving breakthroughs such as heart transplants, pacemakers, portable defibrillators, and valve replacements. Despite the huge progress made, heart and circulatory conditions are still the world’s biggest killers – and every three minutes in the UK, a family loses a loved one to a heart or circulatory disease.
“We are honoured that Grimsby crematorium has chosen to support the British Heart Foundation and help fund the scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow. For more than 60 years, the British Heart Foundation has funded research that has turned ideas that once seemed like ‘science fiction’ into treatments and cures that save lives every day, but millions of people are still waiting for the next breakthrough. It is only thanks to generous donations that we can keep research going and discover the treatments and cures of the future.”
Councillor Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for environment and transport at North East Lincolnshire Council, added: “Since the ICCM scheme began, almost £100,000 has been donated to charity.
“We are pleased to be able to donate funds to the British Heart Foundation, contributing to the excellent work they do in our community. Most of us will know someone affected by heart problems and we are happy to be funding research that could ultimately save lives in the future.”
Daniel Intress-Franklin, deputy bereavement services manager at Grimsby Crematorium, added: “The work that the British Heart Foundation undertakes in North East Lincolnshire and indeed throughout the whole nation is invaluable. We are pleased to be able to use the ICCM Metals Recycling Scheme to help support them with this donation.”
Relatives of the deceased are asked to give their consent before the cremation so the collection of the metals can go ahead.
