INVERCLYDE Council has donated £10,000 to much-loved local charity Ardgowan Hospice.

It is thanks to Greenock Crematorium’s participation in the recycling of metals scheme run by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM).

The council, which manages the crematorium, has been part of the initiative for a number of years.

Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, said: “This is a terrific initiative to be involved with that enables us to support worthy, local charities like Ardgowan Hospice.

“But it can only be done with the blessing of families who have lost a loved one and it’s their continued support that makes this happen alongside the team at the crematorium.

“You will struggle to find someone in Inverclyde who has not been involved with the hospice in some way and seen first-hand the excellent work they do looking after individuals and families during the most difficult times imaginable.

“The hospice relies on the generosity of people to continue doing what they do so it’s great that we are able to support them in this way and well done to the team at Greenock Crematorium for nominating such a much-loved, local charity.”

The hospice supports around 1,200 people and their families every year and over 65 per cent of its running costs are raised through donations and fundraising.

It costs around £11k a day to run the hospice.

Steven Anderson, community fundraising officer at Ardgowan Hospice, said: “Given the current financial challenges faced by hospices across the UK, including our own, this donation comes at an especially crucial time.

“We would like to express our gratitude to Inverclyde Council for their ongoing support of our essential services.”

It is the latest donation to local charities thanks to the council’s participation in the metals recycling scheme.

A cheque for £12k was also made to the hospice in 2022 and earlier this year local charities Parklea Branching Out and The Anchor received cheques for almost £6k each.

The ICCM has raised over £19 million for charities since the recycling of metals scheme was created.