Firm proves its metal with £10k charity deal
JULIE Hesmondhalgh joined charity representatives at the official launch of a metal recycling firm’s new charity scheme.
HML Recycling, in Huncoat, has set itself the target of donating £10,000 to good causes, putting a long-standing arrangement on a more formal footing.
Managing director Stuart Rogan said the idea started a few years ago when a gentleman came in with about £30’s worth of old pots and pans for scrap.
Mr Rogan said: “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.”
The company has decided to formalise the project with commitments to three great local charities, the RSPCA Lancashire East Branch, Accrington Stanley Community Trust, and Maundy Relief.
Ken Harrison, local RSCPA branch manager, said: “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.”
Lee Walsh, head of sport at the Accrington Stanley Community Trust - the charitable arm of Accrington Stanley FC - said: “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 to offer an enhanced package of activities for local residents.”
Actress Julie, who o is patron of Accringtonbased Maundy Relief, said: “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 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 seven times that for a tonne of aluminium.