A HOWWOOD hospice has been handed a welcome cash boost from caring staff at a crematorium.

The £10,000 windfall for St Vincent’s Hospice was delivered by the Clyde Coast and Garnock Valley Crematorium.

Funds were raised through the business’ membership of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management National Recycling of Metals Scheme, which sensitively recovers metals and orthopaedic implants following cremation with the consent of bereaved families.

The donation was presented to Carol-Anne Lamont, income generation lead at St Vincent’s Hospice, at the state-of-the-art crematorium located on the panoramic hills above Dalry.

Philip Ewing, manager of the Clyde Coast and Garnock Valley Crematorium, told The Gazette: “As professionals assisting the bereaved, we recognise the financial challenges that organisations supporting families at their most difficult and vulnerable time face.

“Covid has had a devastating impact across society, affecting not just families but also hospices, which have faced more pressure to provide end-of-life care, whilst simultaneously seeing the ability to raise vital funds in the traditional method curtailed as lockdown was introduced.”

Carol-Anne said the continued support from the crematorium has helped the hospice deliver vital support to patients and their families across the local community.

She added: “Throughout this unprecedented and challenging time for all, St Vincent’s Hospice has remained open.

“The pandemic forced us to alter our ways of working and, as well as supporting those with life-limiting conditions in whatever way we can within the hospice itself, our team have been visiting patients in their own homes, providing telephone consultations or counselling sessions, as well as virtual face-to-face support.”