Funeral team creates morale-boosting gym at Norwood funeral home
The team at A Yeatman & Sons Funeral Directors, West Norwood created a makeshift gym to exercise together before work whilst gyms have been closed.
Jamie Groves, Regional Development Director of Funeral Partners Greater London South, helped his colleagues convert the branch’s open courtyard into a gym with dumbbells, skipping ropes and a punch bag brought from home.
Jamie said: “The support we give each other during these sessions carries into our day’s work and really motivates us to do our best, especially amid the stresses brought on by COVID-19.
“We usually arrive at 5am and spend 45 minutes on the fitness stations, cleaning each one between use, then pack everything away and get ready for work.”
Jamie saw the mental health benefits to exercising as a team and fellow fitness enthusiasts from neighboring branches have been joining in.
Jamie ensured the courtyard was big enough to maintain social distancing and that the workouts wouldn’t be disruptive, with all three participants bringing in equipment from home, and after receiving interest from 15 colleagues the sessions will be opened up to others who want to join.
Jamie now plans to bring in his rowing machine from home and offer a greater variety of equipment for the growing number of participants.
Saying goodbye to popular local man
On the 5th June 2020 John Blenkiron & Sons Funeral Directors had the honour of conducting the funeral of popular local man Liam Newton, a 28-year-old father-of-one who sadly died from a rare form of cancer.
The popular plumber’s funeral procession was applauded by hundreds of Darlington residents who lined the streets to pay their respects, clapping as a procession of motorbikes, pedal bikes and plumbing vans followed the hearse to the North Road Cemetery
Whilst COVID-19 restrictions were in place with the support of his family, friends, and the Darlington community John Blenkiron & Sons were still able to give Liam a fitting farewell.
Calling All Knitters
Funeral arranger Murielle Doyle from W Hodges Riverhead has been busy knitting bonnets, mittens, booties and blankets for the Neonatal Unit at Kent and Medway Hospital.
If you would like to support, donations of wool are being accepted at all of our branches in the West Kent area.
