Crematorium supports funeral director’s marathon debut
A funeral director is half-way towards his fund-raising target for his debut marathon run thanks to the support of Howe Bridge Crematorium.
Steven Naylor hopes to raise £2,000 for charity when he takes on this year’s London Marathon on Sunday 27 April.
And he’s had a huge helping hand, thanks to a £1,000 donation from the crematorium, which has come from its metal recycling fund.
With the consent of families, metals recovered during cremation are recycled, and any money raised is used to support selected charities, local activities and environmental initiatives which benefit the communities that the crematorium serves.
Howe Bridge Crematorium is part of Westerleigh Group, one of the UK’s largest independent owners and operators of crematoria and cemeteries, with 41 sites in England, Scotland, and Wales, all set within beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.
Steven, aged 36, a funeral director at Alan Jones Funeral Directors Limited, is raising funds for Wigan and Leigh Hospice.
He said: “Not only is it my first London Marathon, but the first full marathon I will have completed. I’ve previously completed two half-marathons, in Liverpool and Manchester.
“I saw the opportunity to be able to enter a ballot for the local hospice, which is a charity that’s close to not only myself but my family.
“My cousin died in 2011 at the hospice, and the support, love and care they provided, not only to her but the whole family, was amazing.
“So, being able to give them something back is a real honour, especially being able to run this historic event.”
He added: “The support from Howe Bridge Crematorium has been amazing; Lindsey and her team are very supportive and I can’t thank them enough.”
Howe Bridge Crematorium manager Lindsey Edwardson said: “The hospice currently needs to raise £12,000 every day to provide all their services, which enable them to provide care to over 1,200 local people who have a life-limiting or terminal illness every year.
“We are committed to supporting organisations which make a positive difference in our local communities, so it’s an honour to contribute to the amazing work of the hospice by donating towards Steven’s fund-raising effort.
“We wish him all the very best for his very first full marathon, and hope that he breaks his target and helps the hospice to continue its valuable work.”
If you would like to support Steven’s marathon fund-raising effort, please go to: https://www.tinyurl.com/stevennaylor
For more information about Howe Bridge Crematorium, as well as the exceptional care and support it provides to the bereaved in creating uniquely personal funerals and memorials for their loved ones, visit www.howebridgecrematorium.co.uk
