Westerleigh Group fundraises to mark Captain Tom’s 101st birthday

Westerleigh Group has announced its fundraising efforts to celebrate, what would have been, Captain Tom Moore’s 101st birthday on 30 April.

The UK’s largest independent owner and operator of crematoria and cemeteries is asking its 35 sites to fundraise on behalf of the Captain Tom Foundation via a Just Giving page to encourage the public to donate to the charitable organisation.

Many of Westerleigh’s crematoria teams have hosted bake sales and other events, with the Wessex Vale site plans to hoist a Union Jack a little higher each time they check donation totals that have been made in honour of Captain Tom.

Roger Mclaughlan, Westerleigh Group’s chief executive officer, said: “The Captain Tom Foundation raises money for charities and organisations which were close to his heart, including several which support people, and their families, with life limiting illnesses and who are facing or coping with bereavement.

“This resonates with what we do, which is why we were so keen to support the foundation and honour Captain Tom’s 101 st birthday. Unfortunately, lockdown restrictions mean we are still not able to invite people to our sites to take part in any fundraising activities directly, which is why we’ve challenged our teams to try to raise as much money as possible themselves.”

He added: “But people we have served in the local communities can still be part of our fundraising effort, by making a donation to our new Just Giving page. The senior leadership team at Westerleigh has got our fundraising started with a £500 donation.

“Through the efforts of our colleagues and the support of our communities, we hope Westerleigh Group will be able to make a meaningful donation to the Captain Tom Foundation, in honour of that remarkable man.”