HML Recycling’s scrap for charity initiative launched

HML Recycling, Bolton Avenue, Huncoat, has set itself the target of donating £10,000 to charity.

The new scheme has arisen out of changes to the way the organisation is allowed to make payments for donations of scrap metal.

“The idea started a few years ago when a gentleman came in with about £30’s worth of old pots and pans” explains Stuart Rogan, managing director of HML Recycling “we offered him payment by cheque or online transfer and the man wasn’t interested in any money. On his way he passed the Lancashire East branch of RSPCA, which is just around the corner from us, and the man said to donate the money to charity, that’s what we did, and we haven’t stopped since then.”

HML Recycling continued to make regular donations over the years on an informal basis. Now they have decided to formalise the project with commitments to three great local charities: The RSPCA Lancashire East Branch, Accrington Stanley Community Trust, and Maundy Relief. Representatives from the three organisations were invited to HML Recycling on Friday Jan 31st to formally accept the partnership for donations.

Ken Harrison, local branch manager of RSPCA came along with his beautiful Border Collie Pixie. He commented: “We’re so grateful to HML Recycling because we rely on the generosity of the public. This initiative will benefit all the animals, and the wider community. The Lancashire East RSPCA is running at capacity. We’re looking after 100 animals at the moment and it’s one in one out.”

Accrington Stanley Community Trust, which is the charitable arm of Accrington Stanley Football Club is also to benefit from the scheme. The community trust has four key areas of activity, these are Education, Social Inclusion, Health, and Participation. Among the four areas they provide many different community projects such as offering 40 full time students the chance to study a BTEC in sport, they offer disability football, healthy eating projects in primary schools, and getting locals into physical activity – including the Stanley Kickers, a football group for 2 year olds.

Lee Walsh, head of sport at the Accrington Stanley Community Trust, commented: “HML Recycling already sponsor the Jack Barrett stand at the Accrington Stanley stadium, and now with the extra funds for the Community Trust we will be able offer an enhanced package of activities for local residents.”

The third charity to benefit from HML’s latest altruistic exploits will be Accrington based, Maundy Relief, who sent their patron, Julie Hesmondhalgh to help officially launch the scheme. Ms. Hesmondhalgh, who is known for her award-winning acting in Coronation Street and more recently ITV’s Broadchurch, and in the BBC’s Doctor Who, spoke about Maundy Relief:

“It’s a no questions asked place for people to come and get help with all sorts of issues. We’re helping vulnerable people who have fallen out of the system, whether that’s through homelessness, poverty, addiction, we’re a small charity with a big reach.”

Metals recycling is becoming increasingly more important in helping reduce the UK’s carbon footprint, as it uses less energy than producing metals from raw materials. Recycling one tonne of steel saves almost one tonne of carbon emissions and over 7 times that for a tonne of aluminium, so with this project everyone is a winner.

For more information about HML Recycling visit www.hmlrecycling.co.uk 

And for information about the charities please visit www.rspca-lancseast.org.uk, www.stanleytrust.co.uk and www.maundyrelief.co.uk