FLOWERS are so often used to remember or to celebrate someone who has passed away, but flowers don’t last very long. Over recent months, Cobalt has sadly lost many special supporters, but they live on through the donations that have been given to the charity towards their work instead of buying flowers.

In November 2014 Ruth Reeves, a local lady who had lived in and represented Berkeley as Mayor for many years, passed away aged 86. Both Ruth and her late husband, Gilbert had been pro-active supporters of Cobalt during their lives. Their daughter, Sue Jones, says “My mother and father lived in South Gloucestershire all their lives, and in Berkeley for more than fifty years. During that time both served as Mayor of Berkeley, between them for twenty years. My father additionally had served as Chair of Stroud District Council for two years (1990-1992) and his chosen charity was Cobalt. When he died in May 2009 we opted for donations rather than flowers and Cobalt was our natural choice. When mother died in November last year, we knew she would have wanted the same.”

Zena Giles, Legacy Officer for Cobalt said “Donations given to Cobalt help fund cancer scanning, diagnosis and treatment planning; research work into cancer and dementia; they might help to provide cancer prevention and education talks; fund Cobalt's TYA (Teenage & Young Adult) Cancer Nurse or to deliver cancer facilities for local people.”

Sue Jones continued “We were grateful to all those who made donations, this helped my parents to benefit the community they loved during their lives, beyond their lifetimes. We wish the Cobalt Fundraisers well in their efforts to help so many.”

If you would like to support the work that Cobalt does for local people, by asking for donations in lieu of flowers, then contact Zena in the Fundraising team to have a chat. She can provide you or the Funeral Director with donation envelopes. There is also a Memories book kept by Cobalt that you can write a dedication to your loved one in, with a photograph too if you wish. Sue has written about Ruth and Gilbert and has given this photograph of them on the day of their 60th wedding anniversary on February 15, 2007. Call Zena Giles on 01242 535922 or email zena.giles@cobalthealth.co.uk if you have anything you want to ask and to find out what a difference these donations will make.