New Blackmore Vale funeral home seeks charity partner

As a new funeral home in Sturminster Newton is preparing to open its doors to the public, an appeal is being made for a new charity partner for Blackmore Vale funeral home. The new funeral home at 4 Market House, Station Road, will be owned by local people as it will be part of Southern Co-op - a co-operative society owned by its members and formed in Portsmouth almost 150 years ago. Southern Co-op's Sturminster Newton Funeralcare is set to open on 10 December and colleagues are looking for a local charity partner to support over a 12-month period through various fundraising events. Locals have until 10 January to nominate the charity closest to their hearts as they are asked to think of a project which will really benefit the local community. The partnership could be with any local cause and is not limited to registered charities. Wessex Cancer Trust has recently become a charity partner with Southern Co-op. Sofie Bennett, head of development at Wessex Cancer Trust, said: "Wessex Cancer Trust was delighted to be selected as one of Southern Co-op's local charity partners. "The whole team has fully embraced fundraising and awareness raising and together we're making a real difference to local people affected by cancer. We are so grateful for all their enthusiasm and support." The project must meet one of Southern Co-op's ‘Love Your Neighbourhood' themes - creating greener, safer, healthier or more inclusive neighbourhoods. Jessica Hughes, community investment manager at Southern Co-op, added: "Since we launched our ‘Love Your Neighbourhood' programme, we have partnered up with such a wide variety of charities and good causes from local schools and men's sheds to hospitals and mental health charities. "Our colleagues across our retail stores and funeral homes have a passion for helping the communities which they work in so have come up with some great fundraising ideas including quizzes, tea parties, summer fetes and bike rides. There are so many ways to raise money for a good cause and have lots of fun at the same time. We look forward to finding Sturminster Newton's new charity partner."