Tendring families coping with the heartbreaking loss of a baby will receive much-needed support from Sands, the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity, thanks to funds raised through the reclamation of metal at Weeley Crematorium.

A generous donation of £12,500 has been made to Sands thanks to the Recycling of Metals Scheme, a not-for-profit program run by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM), of which Tendring District Council (TDC) is a member.

The scheme retrieves and recycles items such as medical pins, plates, wires, screws, rods, and artificial joints following a cremation.

The proceeds from this recycling effort are then donated to charities that support terminally ill individuals or bereaved families.

Peter Kotz, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Assets, selected Sands as the recipient of this donation.

"Sands is a real beacon of hope and compassion for families in Clacton and the Tendring district who have faced the unimaginable loss of a baby,” he said.

“Their tireless work over the past 40 years has not only provided crucial support to those grieving but has also driven vital research to improve maternity safety and save lives.

“We are incredibly grateful for the difference Sands has made in our community, offering a lifeline to families during their darkest times."

Maria Gormley, who has volunteered as a befriender for the Sands charity for the last 20 years, experienced baby loss when her daughter Laura was stillborn at 36-weeks.

She said: “Thank you so much to Tendring District Council and families in the local area for their incredible £12,500 donation through the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management’s metal recycling scheme.

“This donation will go such a long way in helping Sands save more babies’ lives, and will ensure that when a baby does die, the family and people affected can access and receive the support that they need, for however long they need it.

“We are so grateful to all families in the Tendring area for their kindness and support.”

In 2023, Maria and TDC planted a baby loss memorial tree on Clacton seafront, near Tower Road, creating a serene space for reflection and remembrance.