The team at Nene Valley Crematorium have raised £12,000 for a local charity, MIND. North Northamptonshire Council’s company operated crematorium serves the community of Wellingborough, and beyond.

MIND provides frontline mental health and wellbeing services. The raised funds will be utilised to allow hundreds of people to access crucial support services that can be lifesaving, including, counselling, crisis support, one-to-one support, encompassing support groups and peer support.

On behalf of the Company’s Chair for the Board of Directors, Councillor Paul Bell, responsible for Wellingborough Bereavement Services, a cheque was presented on Tuesday 20 June 2023 by the Operations Director (and NNC’s Assistant Director for Regulatory Services), Iain Smith to MIND’s Business Development Director, Dion Hunt.  

These funds are a result of the crematorium’s membership with the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management, who have adopted a recycling of metals policy via a European company, OrthoMetals. The scheme continues to grow because of the Institute’s partnership with OrthoMetals, raising significant monetary contributions to a variety of charities, 648 in total. The partnership has donated £17,040,000 to date.

Metals recovered after cremation are recycled with the express consent of bereaved people, being the persons entitled and empowered to make this decision. For further information, please visit the Orthometals website and view the film of their process

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Since the opening of the crematorium on 19 September 2016, the team have nominated 6 local charities that have collectively benefitted from £77,000 because of this recycling scheme.

Councillor Paul Bell said: “It's an honour and pleasure to support Mind in their work with presentation of this cheque”.

MIND’s Dion Hunt commented: “On behalf of Mind in Wellingborough and Northamptonshire Mind, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Nene Valley Crematorium for their generous donation of £12,000. This remarkable contribution will go a long way in supporting individuals facing mental health challenges within our community. With their support, we will be able to provide essential services such as counselling sessions, 1-to-1 emotional support, peer support, education, and training. Their kindness and commitment to mental health advocacy are truly commendable, and we are incredibly grateful. Together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of those who need it most."

This year follows a former recent donation from the crematorium scheme to the former ‘We MIND and Kelly Matters’ (now ‘Kelly’s Heroes’) charity for £12,000.  

Operations Director for the crematorium and Assistant Director for Regulatory Services at NNC, Iain Smith, said: “On behalf of the Nene Valley Crematorium staff and Board Members, I am proud to make this donation to MIND, as a local charity chosen by Crematorium staff, to further their valuable work in supporting and advising local people struggling with their mental health’. 

www.nenevalleycrematorium.co.uk  -  enquiries@nenevalleycrematroium.co.uk