Ipswich Cemeteries awards £12,000 from cremation metal recycling scheme to Suffolk Mind

A scheme that sees metal in cremation ashes collected and recycled has made a large donation to a Suffolk charity.

Council-operated Ipswich Cemeteries has awarded £12,000 raised through its metal recycling scheme to Suffolk Mind.

The programme allows loved ones of people cremated in the town to donate revenue made through precious metals, which can be left behind during the cremation process, to good causes.

The money given to the charity will go towards helping people across the county in their struggles with mental health.

Other donations have been given to other organisations, including Claydon-based Suffolk Family Carers and the Samaritans.

Jon Neal, the chief executive of Suffolk Mind, said: “We are grateful for this generous donation from Ipswich Cemeteries.

“We appreciate the gravity of this donation and what it means to the families – and we would like to thank them for their kindness. Every penny of their donation will go to helping people across the county.

“We want Suffolk to be the best place in the world to talk about and take care of metal health, and this donation will help us on that mission.”

Suffolk Mind has offices in various towns, including Bury St Edmunds, Saxmundham and Felixstowe.

Emma Helyard, the bereavement services team leader at Ipswich Borough Council, said families were pleased to take part in the scheme.

She added: “A lot of people, when they find out about this service, their reaction is overwhelmingly positive.

“It feels like their family members are leaving a lasting legacy.

“They take something really meaningful out of the experience.”