A SOLIHULL stillbirth charity has received £8000 raised by recycling metal from cremations.
Solihull Council donated £8,000 raised from the recycling of metals from cremations at Robin Hood and Woodlands cemeteries to the Solihull branch of Sands – Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society.
Councillor Alison Rolf, the Council’s Cabinet Member for communities presented a cheque to Stephanie and Julie from Solihull Sands on March 3.
The money comes as a result of Solihull Council being part of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) Recycling of Metals Scheme, which sends the money raised from the recycling of metals back to the council.
All of the material recycled is only processed with the written consent of each bereaved family.
Councillor Rolf said: “It is a great honour to be able to donate this incredible amount of money to Solihull Sands. The charity plays such an important role for Solihull residents who have sadly lost a baby.
“Dealing with a bereavement of this kind can be a very difficult time for parents and families, but thanks to the great work of all the volunteers at Solihull Sands people can hopefully feel supported by others who have experienced a similar situation.
“Thank you to every bereaved family that has agreed to take part in the scheme, as without their support we would not be able to provide such an incredible amount of money to this extremely worthwhile cause.”
Solihull Sands is a local branch of Sands – the stillbirth and neonatal death society. Everyone associated with the group has either personally suffered the death of a baby or supported a close family member in these circumstances and so have some understanding of how people might feel at this time. The charity’s mission is to raise awareness, fund research and provide support wherever possible to those who have been affected.
Stephanie added: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this donation from Solihull Council. The money will be used at Heartlands Hospital Eden Suite to provide an enhancement to one of the bereavement suites; which will offer a more comfortable room for bereaved parents. Any money left will then be used to provide baby bereavement clothing and to help us support bereaved parents in our local community.
“It will make a huge difference to the work we do and the support we provide to people in Solihull. Thank you for choosing our charity to be this year’s beneficiary of this worthwhile scheme.”
