A CANCER charity which aims to stop cancer destroying young lives has been given a donation of £7,000 from the East Devon Crematorium, near Exeter, thanks to the generosity of bereaved families.

With local families having to travel to Bristol Children’s Hospital for cancer treatment, the donation will make a difference to a number of lives.

CLIC Sargent Fundraising Engagement Manager, Jordan Anderton, said: "I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of the East Devon Crematorium. This donation is truly life changing for families facing a childhood cancer and I can not thank them enough for choosing CLIC Sargent."

With an average stay of 30 days in Bristol for an initial diagnosis and start of treatment, CLIC Sargent gives Devon families the chance to stay together.

The hospital can normally only accommodate one parent in their child’s room, which would leave the other family members to find their own accommodation in a hotel, which they have to pay for themselves.

CLIC Sargent provides these families with a free room in its Homes-from-Home, helping reduce the financial, emotional and practical burden of a young person’s cancer diagnosis. The provision is free, self-catering, relaxed accommodation and just a short walk from the treatment centres.

Jordan added: "The money that was raised by the East Devon Crematorium could fund a room in a CLIC Sargent Home-from-Home for seven months - this is just incredible. Once again thank you for supporting CLIC Sargent."

East Devon Crematorium is part of the regional, independent co-operative, Southern Co-op, and is set in beautiful rural surroundings between Exeter and Honiton. It serves a large area of East Devon and West Dorset stretching from Exmouth to Bridport.

The £7,000 donation was raised through a nationwide recycling scheme run by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management.

The scheme recycles metals which remain after cremation with the express consent of bereaved families, such as items used in the construction of the coffin or orthopaedic implants.

The proceeds are then returned to the crematorium who donates the money to local charities.

Georgina Bembridge, Crematorium Manager, said: "The recycling of metals is done with the written consent of each bereaved family so it is from their generosity that we are able to make a difference to local causes.

"Cancer is a disease which can be devastating so it is incredibly important to have a charity like CLIC Sargent supporting young lives across our region. It is really heart warming to know that the donation could take away some of the unnecessary stress when undergoing treatment."