Berkshire funeral parlor raises £10k for charity despite Covid-19 disruptions

A Funeral Partners branch in Berkshire has raised over £10k for a hospice charity in 2020 despite all fundraising events being cancelled due to Covid-19. 

E Sargeant and Son was forced to cancel nine events raising donations for Thames Hospice but, through clients donations, local business connections and its network Funeral Partners, it was still able to meet the five-figure commitment.

The business had already invested in advertisements and fliers for its first fundraiser in 2020, a three-course dinner to be run by Langley College’s Hospitality and Catering Academy, when the first national lockdown came into effect. 

2020 marked the third year in a five-year pledge by E Sargeant and Son to raise £10k annually for Thames Hospice, which had been previously achieved through sponsored events including a climb over the O2 arena. 

Mark Clements, regional support manager of Funeral Partners South, said: “From a jazz-themed lunch and race night to car washes and quizzes, E Sargeant and Son had several activities planned to take the year by storm. However, 2020 panned out in a way no one could have predicted. 

“We weren’t going to give up easily and managed to raise funds through the donation boxes in our branches, selling our old equipment and furniture, creative socially-distanced sponsorship activities, generous donations from the families we serve, and the Funeral Partners community fund.” 

Sam Kershaw, chief executive officer at Funeral Partners, added: “We are pleased to see E Sargeant and Son remaining as committed as ever to helping Thames Hospice. Many charities are in dire need of donations during these difficult times, which is in the minds of all our branches that regularly fundraise.”