AN ‘UNBELIEVABLE’ donation of £14,000 will help a vital Rugby charity to save more lives.
Rainsbrook Crematorium made the donation to the OurJay Foundation from the proceeds of recycling metal and orthopaedic implants following cremation.
Rainsbrook joined the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management’s national Recycling of Metals scheme when the crematorium opened nearly a decade 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.
The crematorium has decided to donate the proceeds from recycling to the OurJay Foundation, launched by the family of Jamie Rees, who died in January 2022 after suffering a cardiac arrest in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
The foundation has campaigned for 24/7 defibrillators to be installed at public buildings and has so far raised more than £150,000 – helping to install 116 defibrillators across Warwickshire and donate 15 portable defibrillators to county communities.
Naomi Rees-Issitt, Jamie’s mum and the chair and trustee of the OurJay Foundation, said: “The OurJay Foundation is so grateful to Rainsbrook Crematorium for this unbelievable donation.
“We’re also grateful to every family that chose to allow the donation of metal to this scheme. As a family, we remember going through this devastating time and having to make decisions we never thought we’d have to make, so we appreciate how hard this is for other people.
“This huge donation will go towards accessible defibrillators across Warwickshire and Northamptonshire, and also towards the upkeep of defibrillators already installed over the last year.”
Rainsbrook Crematorium was built by Rugby Borough Council (RBC) and Daventry District Council, and opened in the spring of 2014. Daventry District Council became part of the new West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) when it was formed in 2021.
RBC leader Coun Derek Poole said: “Without these kind donations the metal cannot be recycled.
“We appreciate it’s an extremely sensitive subject but hope the bereaved relatives can take some comfort from knowing the money raised has helped a good cause.”
WNC’s corporate services spokesman Coun Mike Hallam said: “I would like to express my gratitude to all the families who have played a crucial role in making this donation possible.
“It’s a testament to the positive impact which can be achieved when communities come together in support of charitable initiatives.”
Visit www.ourjay.org.uk for more information about the OurJay Foundation. Visit www.rainsbrookcrematorium.co.uk for more information on Rainsbrook Crematorium.
