Worcester City Council has presented a cheque for £8,000 to Footsteps – a local charity which provides free support to bereaved children, young people and their families.

The amount was paid over on behalf of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management’s metals recycling scheme, which the City Council’s crematorium is part of.

Helen Dolton, Service Operations Manager, from Footsteps said: “We are extremely grateful for this donation which will help us to provide more one to one support to children and young people in Worcester and its surrounding area.

“Last year we worked in over 50 schools and colleges in the area and helped over 150 young people and their families. Sadly, the demand for our support is growing and it is very important to us that our service is available to all those that need us totally free of charge, thereby ensuring accessibility to all”.

The £8,000 cheque was presented by the Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Allah Ditta.

Following the cremation of a deceased person, the cremated remains contain metals from the coffin and from orthopaedic implants such as hip and knee replacement joints.

The recycling of metals resulting from cremation is only carried out with the written consent of each bereaved family.

The Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management works with councils across the country, and many charities both nationally and locally have benefited from its recycling scheme.

To date, Worcester City Council has contributed close to £50,000 to local charities through the scheme.

More information about Footsteps can be found at http://talktofootsteps.co.uk/ – or call 08454 676065.