Council gives £8,000 towards service for grieving young people

Eastbourne Borough Council has donated £8,000 towards a bereavement support service for children and young people through a metal recycling scheme.

The money was presented to the Seahorse Project, which is run by St Wilfrid’s Hospice and offers one-to-one support for children aged between six and 17-years-old.

Councillor Alan Shuttleworth, Cabinet Member for Direct Assistant Services, said: “I’m delighted we are supporting this extremely valuable project that gives counselling to young people who have sadly lost a loved one.”

Eastbourne Crematorium is a member of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) national metals recycling scheme.

Following a cremation, the cremated remains may contain metals from orthopaedic implants such as hip or knee replacement joints as well as items from the construction of the coffin.

When a bereaved family gives consent, these metals are recycled by the ICCM with proceeds shared between its members to donate to a charity of their choice.

Councillor Shuttleworth added: “Through the ICCM scheme, the council has donated tens of thousands of pounds to benefit local good causes and at the same time, it ensures we keep the environmental impact of cremation to a minimum.”

Simon Cosham, Corporate Fundraiser at St Wilfrid’s Hospice, said: “These funds are vital in helping us continue to help people within our catchment area. We are so grateful for the ICCM scheme and very much appreciate the ongoing support of Eastbourne Crematorium.”

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