Donation brings ‘hope for brighter future’

A charity that supports bereaved young people has received an £11,500 donation from recycling efforts at Redditch Crematorium.

Touchstones Child Bereavement Support, which supports young people in North East Worcestershire, received the money that came from families choosing to support the recycling of any metal left behind after the cremation of their loved ones.

Touchstones’ Clinical Lead, Vicki Quarton, said: “We are so grateful for this amazing donation from Redditch Brough Council via the work of Redditch Crematorium. We are a small charity that has being providing one-to-one help to grieving children and young people across our local communities for the past 13 years.

“All our support is offered completely free of charge, so we are totally dependent on the incredible generosity of individuals, local organisations, company groups, and of course the council. This money will ensure that we can continue to come alongside the many wonderful but hurting children we are privileged to work with, to help bring hope for a brighter future. Thank you so much.”

Redditch Borough Council donated the money raised with the families’ support.

Cllr Sharon Harvey, Redditch Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services, said: “The money raised here will help Touchstones provide vital support to our local children and young people at a very difficult time in their lives. It is our continued privilege to provide these options to people who have chosen Redditch Crematorium for their funeral, and to support the community together.”

The ongoing metal recycling scheme at the crematorium continues to donate any money raised when people opt in to the scheme, to organisations that support local people through bereavements and end-of-life care.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Joe Baker, added: “We are able to pass on this money today thanks to the selflessness of many, many others. Thank you.”