A FUNERAL home has celebrated its one-year anniversary in Whitchurch with a £500 donation to a good cause.

Southern Co-op’s Whitchurch Co-operative Funeralcare hosted birthday celebrations on December 11, awarding a cash boost to the Kingfisher Day Centre based in Laverstoke.

The centre provides care, companionship and rehabilitation for the elderly.

Whitchurch town mayor John Buckley and Reverend Rachel Borgars were among the special guests at the celebrations, hosted in the home’s Winchester Street premises.

Jessie Pennie, Southern Co-op’s Funeral co-ordinator, said: “The last year has flown by and it has been really special to be welcomed into such a close and supportive community.

“So far we have helped raise nearly £3,000 for the local community which feels such an incredible thing to have been able to do. We have also been able to support a number of local families who have lost loved ones.

“We realise people would often prefer not to think about funerals but our door is always open for people to get any niggling questions answered - or if they are just passing by and want to pop in for a cuppa.”

During 2018 the branch also gave a helping hand to Whitchurch in Lights, Care 4 Careers, Bere Hill Nursing Home, Longmeadow Sports and Social Club and St John’s Red Cross.

To find out more go to thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/makingadifference/.