DONATIONS worth nearly £3,037 have been made by the West Wiltshire Crematorium near Semington to two local charities.

Crematorium manager and registrar Richard Green, who manages the crematorium for the Bristol-based Westerleigh Group, said the money is raised from metal recycled from funerals.

“Each year we are privileged to be able to donate money that has been raised through the company’s Metal Recycling Scheme and this year we are able to give to two very deserving local charities.”

Richard presented a £1,012.33 cheque to Jenn Couldrake, co-founder of Wiltshire Wishes, a charity that raises money to provide magical wishes for children and their families who have been affected by an illness, a life changing medical condition or terminal illness.

He also handed a cheque for £2,024.66 to Nicky Clack, Fundraising Assistant, and Nurse Helen Johns, from the Julia’s House hospice in Devizes.

Richard added: “This is the second time we’ve been able to donate to Wiltshire Wishes. It’s great to put the spotlight on such a small charity that does a fantastic job.

“I visited Julia’s House hospice in Devizes to personally hand over the cheque and was blown away by the fantastic facilities they have. I can see that any family in their care would be very well looked after; it’s such a tough job they do, but the team are certainly well equipped.

“They were very pleased to receive our second donation in two years. I do hope we can continue to support both charities again in the future.”

The Westerleigh Group owns nearly 30 crematoriums nationwide and holds around 1,000 cremations every six months at the West Wiltshire Crematorium. Nationally, it handles more than 30,000 funerals a year.