The newly opened Clyde Coast and Garnock Valley Crematorium has donated £5,000 towards Ardgowan Hospice.

The money was raised through the facility’s membership of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management’s national Recycling of Metals Scheme.

Philip Ewing, crematorium manager, said: “As professionals assisting the bereaved, we recognise the financial challenges that organisations supporting families at their most difficult and vulnerable time face. The funds raised through this recycling scheme donation will directly benefit the hospice, and the families it supports, when they are facing a difficult time through bereavement.

“Our heartfelt thanks go to each and every family who consented to take part in the national scheme, without whom life-changing donations such as the one we are making today would not be possible.

“Since its inception in 2006, the Institute’s national recycling of metals initiative has raised over £5.2million, and it gives great comfort for those who have contributed to the scheme to know that the money raised, is used to support charities like Ardgowan Hospice in the delivery of incredibly important and sensitive end of life care.”

Linda McEnhill, chief executive at Ardgowan Hospice, added: “Each year the hospice team supports around 1,000 patients and family members in Inverclyde with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect. Patients are cared for in the Access at Ardgowan Day Hospice, a number of outpatient clinics, the eight-bedded inpatient unit or in their own homes by a specialist professional team.

“We are truly grateful to Clyde Coast and Garnock Valley Crematorium for choosing to support us and this fantastic donation could pay for more than eight days specialist care.”