Published: Thursday, 15th June 2023
Mintlyn Crematorium, which is owned and managed by the borough council, has raised £12,000 to donate to bereavement charity Widowed and Young (WAY).
Widowed and Young is a charity that provides support and friendship to men and women under the age of fifty one when their partner dies.
The charity offers those who are struggling to come to terms with the trauma of losing a loved one at a young age the opportunity to attend peer to peer support groups run by a network of volunteers, many of whom have been bereaved themselves.
The money has been raised through a charitable scheme, operated by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM), of which Mintlyn is a member. Under the scheme metal from medical implants is recycled after cremation, with the consent of the family of the deceased. Twice a year the institute asks its scheme members to nominate local charities, which help to support people to cope with the death of loved ones, to receive a donation.
Cllr Bal Anota, Cabinet member for Property and Corporate Services, at the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, said:
“It’s good that we can support the important work of the charity Widowed and Young who help people aged 50 and under adjust to life after the death of their partner.
“Mintlyn Crematorium has now donated more than £150,000 to support bereavement charities through this charitable scheme and I hope people who are bereaved take comfort from that.”
To qualify for donations from the scheme, charities are selected on the basis they have to assist the bereaved or those who are terminally ill.
Stephanie Patrick, Chief Executive at Widowed and Young, said:
“I am delighted that Mintlyn Crematorium has picked WAY Widowed and Young as their chosen charity for such a generous donation. WAY receives no statutory funding and is completely reliant on fundraising activities and the generosity of trusts and foundations, so this will make a huge difference in helping us to support young widows who are local to Kings Lynn, West Norfolk and beyond.”
For more information about Widowed and Young, please visit their website at widowedandyoung.org.uk