A GRATEFUL Rugby mum who was inspired to help others after a family tragedy has thanked Rainsbrook Crematorium for donating £10,000 to her charity.
The crematorium has given the money to Freddie’s Wish, a bereavement support charity founded by Charlotte Jolliffe in the name of her 13-month-old son after he died in a car crash in 2014.
Charlotte set up the charity to help bereaved parents after she was unable to find specialist support in the weeks after Freddie’s accident.
Since its launch, Freddie’s Wish has raised more than £320,000 to help deliver bereavement support to parents who have lost a child, and paediatric first aid courses to people who care for children.
The crematorium’s donation comes from the proceeds of recycling metal and orthopaedic implants following cremation.
Charlotte said: “We are blown away by the generosity of the donation from Rainsbrook Crematorium and we want to thank them and all the wonderful families that have supported the recycling scheme to enable this donation to be possible.
“This donation will make a huge difference to a small charity like ours by enabling us to continue providing invaluable counselling support to parents who have lost a baby or child and helping them to navigate their life after loss.”
Rainsbrook joined the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management’s national Recycling of Materials scheme when the crematorium opened 11 years ago.
Rainsbrook asks all bereaved families to consider donating the metal to the scheme – but only sends it for recycling with the blessing of the next of kin.
Rugby Mayor Barbara Brown joined Coun Andrew Last, West Northamptonshire Council cabinet member for HR, corporate and regulatory services, at the cheque presentation.
Coun Brown said: “The crematorium can only recycle the metal and orthopaedic implants thanks to the kindness of the next of kin, so I hope the bereaved relatives can take a degree of comfort from the fact the money raised has gone to such a wonderful charity as Freddie’s Wish.”
Rainsbrook Crematorium was built by Rugby Borough Council and the then Daventry District Council, and opened in the spring of 2014.
Daventry District Council became part of the new West Northamptonshire Council when it was formed in 2021.
Coun Last said: “I am proud that Rainsbrook Crematorium continues to support charities that make a real difference locally.
“Freddie’s Wish provides invaluable help to families during the most difficult times, and this donation reflects our commitment to giving back to the community.”
Visit www.freddieswish.org for more information about Freddie’s Wish.
Visit www.rainsbrookcrematorium.co.uk for more information on Rainsbrook Crematorium.
