Southampton Crematorium donates £14,000 to Cruse Bereavement Care South Hampshire and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA)

Southampton Crematorium donated £7,000 to local charity Cruse Bereavement Care, South Hampshire, and a further £7,000 to Hampshire Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA)

Southampton Crematorium, which is run by Southampton City Council, donated £7,000 to local charity Cruse Bereavement Care, South Hampshire, and a further £7,000 to Hampshire Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA).

Southampton Crematorium has raised this money from their Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) recycling of metals scheme. This brings the total that Southampton Crematorium has donated to charities to £ £111,000 since its introduction.

The presentation of the cheques took place on Friday 26 January 2024 and Tuesday 6 February 2024 at Southampton Crematorium.

Hannah Yeomanson, Community Fundraising Officer of Cruse Bereavement Care South Hampshire said:
"Cruse Bereavement Support in South Hampshire has been providing specialist Bereavement Support to bereaved people locally for over 38 years. We have a network of 45 Bereavement Volunteers who have undertaken extensive training to provide professional person-centred support to bereaved children, young people and adults living in Southampton and surrounding areas. Our amazing volunteers give a huge amount of their own time to support those struggling with grief, through one-to-one support sessions. The death of a loved one is probably the most devastating experience that will ever happen to us. Our local Bereavement Volunteers help bereaved people navigate complex feelings associated with loss. This includes developing coping strategies, building resilience, and identifying additional support networks, helping them to adjust to daily life whilst remembering and celebrating the lives of those they have lost.

"We work with many agencies in the area to cross refer and signpost after the death of someone to ensure bereaved people have access to prompt and specialist support in and around Southampton.

"We are extremely grateful to Southampton Crematorium and the ICCM for the absolutely incredible donation of £7000 through their Recycling of Metals Scheme".

Christine Lissoni, Chair Cruse Bereavement Support in South Hampshire said:
"Thank you for this wonderful contribution to our local services which will enable us to recruit and train new bereavement volunteers so that we can support many more bereaved people through what can be one of the most painful times in life."

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is a life-saving charity that brings the skills and equipment of a hospital emergency department to the most critically ill and injured people in the region.

Every day, teams of doctors, dispatchers, pilots and paramedics are ready to respond people experiencing the worst day of their lives. Whether they’ve had cardiac arrest, a fall from height or a major road traffic collision, the sight and sound of the charity’s helicopter circling gives each patient the best chance of survival and recovery.

Since its first flight in 2007, the charity has responded to more than 18,000 critical emergencies – with each mission now costing the service an average of £3,320.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Director of Income and Engagement Keith Wilson said:
"“We rely entirely on the generosity and kindness of support from people in our community. Whether they’re former patients and relatives who have first-hand experience of needing our help, or they’re part of local groups, clubs and organisations dedicated to impacting lives of others: every mission we attend starts with you. We are hugely grateful to the team at Southampton Cemeteries and Crematorium and to the ICCM for choosing to support Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance in our mission to save lives across the region."

Councillor Keogh, Cabinet Member Environment and Transport said:
"We’re absolutely delighted that our crematorium is able to offer this donation to Cruse Bereavement and the Hampshire Air Ambulance We hope this money goes some way to help fund the vital work the charities are doing in Southampton and beyond. Staff at Southampton Crematorium nominated these charities for all their hard work in supporting people through one of the most painful times in their life."

For more support or information about Cruse South Hampshire please contact them on 0300 790 4055 or by email on shbcp@cruse.org.uk.

For more support or information about Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance please contact them on 023 8074 3510 or by email on enquiries@hiowaa.org.