BORDERS Crematorium is marking World Alzheimer’s Month by pledging to make a donation to Dementia UK, the specialist dementia nursing charity, for every memorial purchase made over a six-week period.

Earlier this year, Westerleigh Group chose Dementia UK as its corporate charity partner with the aim of raising a minimum of £120,000 to support its vital work.

READ MORE: Bikers gather to remember Steve 'Hizzy' Hislop

Between Monday September 4 and Sunday October 15, anyone buying a memorial will also be helping to make a difference to families facing dementia in addition to remembering their loved ones.

The money will be donated from the crematorium’s metal recycling scheme.

For memorial purchases up to the value of £500, a £50 donation will be made. For purchases between £500.01 and £1,500, a £100 donation will be made and for purchases of £1,500.01 and above, a £200 donation will be made.

Borders Crematorium Manager Judith Emond said: “A £50 donation could cover the telephone costs of 17 family carers calling Dementia UK’s free, national helpline for support.

READ MORE: Emergency services called to crash on A68 near Pathhead

“We’re proud of our commitment to providing exceptional care to the bereaved and their loved ones but our care goes much further than that; we also care deeply about the wider communities that surround all our crematoria and dementia is something that affects families all over the UK.

“We have such a wide range of memorialisation options available to our families, from interment and on-site options to memorial jewellery and even having ashes scattered in space.

“We support families to make memorials as uniquely personal to the individual being honoured as possible. Families do not need to have held a service in our crematorium in order to arrange a memorial through us.

READ MORE: Police called to scene of crash on A72 near Blyth Bridge

“And, for the period between 4 September and 15 October, they have the added benefit of knowing that their memorial purchase will also result in further funds being donated to support the vital work being carried out by Dementia UK, but at no extra cost to themselves.”

Martin Bishop, Director of Fundraising and Engagement at Dementia UK, said: “We are so grateful to Westerleigh Group for making this donation pledge for World Alzheimer’s Month.

“Every three minutes, someone in the UK develops dementia which is a progressive and complex condition that can be devastating for the whole family.

“It can be exhausting and overwhelming, not only for the person with dementia, but also for the people caring for them, and their wider family and friends.

READ MORE: Kelso care home event deemed a resounding success

“Through the money raised, more families than ever will be able to access the life-changing support offered by our Admiral Nurses and Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline.”

With the consent of families, metals recovered during cremation are recycled, and any money raised is used to support charities and other worthy causes which make a positive difference to people’s lives.

Anyone who wants to find out more about Borders Crematorium and the terms and conditions of its pledge for Dementia UK should visit: www.borderscrem.co.uk/pledgefordementiauk