Exeter and Devon Crematorium donate £10,000 to local bereavement charity by recycling metal

Balloons, a local bereavement charity that supports children and young people have received a £10,000 donation from an unusual source.

The Crematorium and Memorial Group (CMG), operators of Exeter and Devon Crematorium and part of Dignity plc, was able to make the donation to Balloons due to the crematorium participating in a nationwide metal recycling scheme, administered by the Association of Private Crematoria & Cemeteries.

The scheme sees metals that have been recovered from the deceased during the cremation process recycled, with the express consent of bereaved families. Materials can include metal hips and joints, and all profits are donated to charity.

Balloons charity offers a range of practical, emotional, and social support to children and young people when they experience a bereavement. Sadly, one child in every UK classroom has experienced bereavement of a significant person in their life. Balloons provide vital one to one grief support work in schools, as well as an advice service for families, schools, and other professionals around bereavement.

 Ben Edward, Business Leader at Exeter and Devon Crematorium said: “We are so pleased to be able to fund the activities of local bereavement charity Balloons to ensure that young people in our communities receive the support they need during a very difficult time in their lives.”

Nicola Clarke, CEO at Balloons added: “We are delighted to have received this incredible donation from Exeter and Devon Crematorium.

"Balloons is a small, local charity working to support bereaved children and young people across Exeter, East and Mid Devon.

"We support 150 children and young people a year through our Grief Support work and reach many more through responding to families and school staff who are looking for support, advice and information.

"We are run entirely on donations and grants, and every pound makes a difference. This donation enables us to keep our service going to be able to support more children and young people.”