Funeral Service Times August 2017 May 2019 | Page 5

DISPATCHES
Pre-school gets life-saving
defibrillator thanks to
funeral director
More than £1,000 was raised for the device including £250 from
the Co-operative
After three months of fundraising, a Portsmouth pre-school has
installed a life-saving defibrillator in memory of a volunteer.
More than £1,000 was raised for the device including £250 from
the Co-operative Funeralcare in North End – part of Southern Co-
op. Parade Community Preschool, in North End, decided to raise the
money to install the equipment after volunteer, Stephen Urry, died
suddenly of a heart attack in November.
Funeral coordinators Emily Warden and Nicki Button spotted the
appeal on Facebook and decided to get involved.
Warden, said: “We obviously come into contact with a lot
of bereaved families and it just seemed right and apt that we
get involved with this project. The school is local to us and the
defibrillator will benefit our community.
“The
fact that
the project
came from
one of the
school staff
losing her
husband to a
sudden heart
attack really
pulled on my heart strings. The staff there were so grateful. When
I phoned the manager to tell her we wanted to donate she cried. It
was a really nice feeling knowing we were making a difference.”
The defibrillator was installed in March and is also accessible to
Northern Parade Junior School and the nearby Family Hub.
The donation was made as part of Southern Co-op’s community
engagement programme ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ which
addresses four key social themes – promoting greener, healthier,
safer, and more inclusive neighbourhoods.
Welsh and Scottish charities Cremation Society appoints
benefit from legacy income
new council members
boost
A report by Remember a Charity revealed that charities saw real
terms legacy income growth from 2007-2017 of 35% in Wales and
23% in Scotland
Welsh and Scottish charities are outperforming charities in England
and those with a UK-wide remit in terms of growth in legacy income,
according to Remember a Charity’s UK Legacy Fundraising Market
2019 report.
Although the Welsh and Scottish legacy markets constitute a small
proportion of the UK’s legacy income (amounting to a collective total
of 4%), the report reveals that charities saw real terms legacy income
growth from 2007-2017 of 35% in Wales and 23% in Scotland,
against a UK average growth rate of 10%.
The report also found a 24% rise in the number of top 5,000
fundraising charities reporting legacy income over the last
decade and changing public preferences in terms of the types of
organisations people are naming in their wills.
Health charities retain the largest income share from legacies
(42% in 2017), but overseas aid, environmental and services charities
are increasing their space in the market. At the same time, religious
charities and social care are losing ground.
Rob Cope, director of Remember A Charity, said: “The donor
market is clearly growing, with a long term shift in the proportion of
estates that include a charitable gift. But with rapid expansion in the
legacy fundraising marketplace and more charities at the table, the
question is whether charities will start to feel the squeeze.”
www.funeralservicetimes.co.uk
The society said that both Kerslake and Powell will ‘bring with them a
wealth of knowledge
The council of The Cremation Society has announced the
appointment of two new members, Debbie Kerslake and Rick Powell.
The society said that both Kerslake and Powell will “bring with them
a wealth of knowledge from their respective fields, in which they are
both well respected”.
Miriam Deacon, chief executive of the Cremation Society, said: ‘I
am delighted that Debbie and Rickhave accepted the offer to become
trustees of the Cremation Society. Their contribution to the society will
certainly complement the skills we already have in place. They are both
highly regarded in the sector, having worked serving the bereaved for
many years.’
Kerslake added: “Through its broad ranging role – hosting events,
collating and
disseminating information, liaising nationally and internationally and
publishing Pharos International, the Cremation Society plays a key role.
Having always respected its work, I feel privileged and excited and
am looking forward to serving as a trustee/council member for the
society.”
Powell said: “I am delighted to be joining the society’s council and
look forward to contributing to the work carried out by the very diverse
group. I hope that my 40 years of involvement with bereavement
services in various roles, will assist the council with its future
development plans.”
MAY 2019
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