SUDEP Action receive £5,000 from South Essex Crematorium

Staff at South Essex Crematorium were delighted to hand over a cheque for £5,000 this week to the charity SUDEP Action.  

The money was raised through a scheme to sensitively recycle metals operated by the Institute of Crematorium and Cemetery Management (ICCM).  Conducted with the permission of next of kin, all the money received from the scheme is donated to bereavement charities that support local families.

The Mayor of Havering, Cllr. Linda Van Den Hende handed over the cheque saying:  
“It is a privilege to present this gift on behalf of local families and to help SUDEP Action provide specialist support and counselling to those bereaved through epilepsy.” 
At least 21 epilepsy-related deaths occur each week in the UK, and the condition is one of the top ten causes of death, amongst young people.  Families can be plunged into the unfamiliar and distressing inquest process following a sudden and unexpected death.

SUDEP Action trustee, John Hirst CBE said: 
“I speak on behalf of the many hundreds of bereaved families that SUDEP Action has, and is supporting as a result of losing a loved one from Sudden Death from Epilepsy (SUDEP). I thank the ICCM and South Essex Crematorium for this very generous gift of £5,000 raised as a result of this highly innovative recycling scheme. As we remember all the loved ones who have been cremated at South Essex Crematorium, this money will help our charity in its commitment to support families through devastating grief and drive forward their shared purpose of preventing future deaths.” 
The charity involves bereaved families in vital research through the Epilepsy Deaths Register and in collaboration with UK clinical and research teams supports the NHS with vital education work improving patient safety.  

In the photograph (left to right): Louise Roast, Bereavement and Registration Services Manager for the London Borough of Havering; Lee Macey, Operations Manager South Essex Crematorium; John Hirst CBE, SUDEP Action trustee; Mayor of Havering, Cllr. Linda Van Den Hende and Susan Verner Customer Services and Business Manager South Essex Crematorium.

If you would like more information about SUDEP Action, you can call the main office on 01235 772850 or email [email protected] 
If you have been affected by an epilepsy death and would like to talk to someone, you can contact the support team on 01235 772852 or at www.sudep.org