crematorium

Across the UK, crematoria are finding meaningful ways to support local and national charities such as Spread a Smile, raising vital funds to make a difference.

Recently, Mortlake Crematorium, Kew generously supported Spread a Smile as part of a national metal recycling initiative in partnership with Orthometals. The partnership sees metals (such as metal limbs), recovered after cremations with families’ consent, recycled and the proceeds donated to charity.

Mortlake Crematorium donated an incredible £4,250 through the initiative to help spread smiles to seriously ill children and young people, including to those receiving treatment at local hospitals such as West Middlesex Hospital, Kingston Hospital and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

Natasha Bradshaw, Manager at Mortlake Crematorium said, “We wanted to support the great work that Spread a Smile does. It is so hard for a family watch a child go through treatment, sometimes being in hospital for long periods, or having to return to hospital on numerous occasions for treatment.  Being able to see their child smile and have fun in those times may give all involved a little relief.  The charity supports the families and siblings too which is just great. Kindness and joy are infectious and that is why Spread a Smile was such a great charity to nominate, as they bring joy on often difficult days for ill children and their families.”

Susie Baxter Head of Marketing for Spread a Smile, (pictured right) visited the Crematorium to receive the cheque, sharing more about how the charity’s entertainers spend time with seriously ill children in hospital, at our family events and through our online sessions, to bring moments of joy, distraction and happiness when they are needed most.

Susie said, “For children living with serious illness, time for fun and play can often feel out of reach. Thanks to the generosity of organisations such as Mortlake Crematorium and the bereaved families who kindly donate their loved ones’ metals, Spread a Smile will bring hope and joy to children and families going through some of the most difficult times of their lives. We are extremely grateful for their kindness and support helping us spread smiles to children local to them and across the country.”

If you know of a Crematorium local to you that might be interested in supporting our work, please do help spread the word or reach out to our fundraising team at fundraising@spreadasmile.org. We’d love to hear from you. Thank you.