Date published: 2025-11-18 | Category: Bereavement Services, Community Funding, Focusing on prevention, Tackling the climate and ecological emergency
A charity in Bath that provides holidays for families with young people with cancer or who have been bereaved has spoken of an “incredibly special” £10,000 donation received from Haycombe Cemetery.
Tom Saunders, dad to Ben and trustee of the Ben Saunders Foundation set up by Ben before he passed away due to a rare form of cancer in 2020, said the donation will help ensure that the 2026 bills are covered for one of the Ben's Retreat holiday lodges.
Bath & North East Somerset Council donated the funds through the not-for-profit Recycling of Metals Scheme run by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM). Charities which assist the bereaved or people who are terminally ill are selected for donations.
Tom said: “It is an incredible gesture. To receive this when we live literally 100 yards from the cemetery gates and also where Ben has his final resting place is incredibly special.
“We are so proud to represent Bath in everything we do. Ben was born in Bath, went to Oldfield Park and then St Gregory’s School in Bath and also played football for Bath City. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for helping us to keep Ben’s memory alive and enabling us to support families in their darkest days.”
Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Communications and Community, said: “Ben’s charity is helping people through a difficult time in their lives and I am pleased that we are able to support the Foundation through the ICCM scheme. This is all thanks to all the bereaved families who gave their consent – you have made a real difference to the lives of others, as well as helping Ben’s remarkable legacy to live on.”
Find out more about Haycombe Cemetery and Crematorium.
ENDS