Gainsborough charity Laybo’s Legacy receives £5,000 donation from Lea Fields Crematorium

The Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) metal recycling scheme, which Lea Fields Crematorium has been a part of since 2020, donates the money generated from collecting metals from cremations, with family consent, to bereavement-related charities.

For the last round of nominations, the crematorium asked Cliff Bradley & Sons Funeral Directors to nominate a charity.

The independent funeral directors nominated Laybo’s Legacy, which is a charity that was set up by Niki Hall, along with her sister, Clare Wallhead, after Niki’s son, Leighton Hall, committed suicide in 2019.

The charity, named after Leighton’s nickname, provides financial assistance with funeral costs and emotional support for bereaved families in Gainsborough and the surrounding areas who have lost someone to suicide.

Clare said she felt “over the moon”, when they found out they were receiving the donation.

She said: “We were actually away on holiday when we got the phone call and were absolutely blown away. This donation will make a huge difference to a family that needs our support.”

Leighton’s mum Niki, said it felt “special” to be nominated.

She said: “Every penny helps. For a lot of people who lose a relative to suicide, the last thing on their mind is thinking about how they’re going to pay for a funeral.

“We want to help them, so they don’t have to worry about that and have space to come to terms with what’s happened.”

Carlton Bradley, director at Cliff Bradley & Sons, said it was an “honour and a privilege” to be given the chance to nominate a charity.

He said: “Of course there are many more causes that have our unwavering support, many of these local, and selecting one was very difficult.

“In the end, it seemed right to choose a local cause and the work that the team at Laybo’s Legacy carry out supporting local families at incredibly difficult times really is a testament to them.

“We have worked closely with Laybo’s Legacy since it was founded, having known Leighton’s family for many years, I wanted to acknowledge the incredible work that Niki, Clare and the team carry out and raise awareness of the crucial support they provide.”

Deborah Balsdon, Crematorium manager said: “We’re incredibly proud to support this charity and it’s heartwarming to know that every year, we make a difference to different local charities.

“Since 2020, we have donated more than £100,000 to various bereavement-related charities through the ICCM scheme and we’re passionate about continuing to make an impact through the scheme.”

Coun John Barrett, vice-chairman of West Lindsey District Council, was at the crematorium alongside Deborah and Coun Emma Bailey to hand over the cheque.

He said: “I am so very pleased that the crematorium has supported this great cause, and I am very grateful to Cliff Bradley & Sons for their generosity in nominating this charity.

“The loss of a loved one and arranging their funeral is one of the hardest things for a family to go through.

“As a former police officer, informing families they had lost someone to suicide was something I had to do far too often, so I know first-hand how hard it is for families to come to terms with this.

“So, to see Claire and Niki helping those bereaved families who have lost someone to suicide, especially in honour of their late son Leighton, is truly heartwarming.

“It also gives us the opportunity to promote Laybo’s Legacy and let families going through similar circumstances know there is support, and to hopefully inspire others to support the charity in any way they can.”

Coun Emma Bailey, ward member for Lea, said: “I feel incredibly proud of the amount of money Lea Fields Crematorium has given to charities over the past five years.

“I am also thankful for Cliff Bradley and Sons for nominating Laybo’s Legacy and raising awareness of this special charity.

“The ICCM metal recycling scheme is great for the environment, too. The fact that we can recycle these metals to avoid landfill and to reduce the requirement for new metals to be mined, all while raising money for great causes makes a positive impact in so many ways.”