£163,542 Raised for Charity by Families We Have Supported in 2026
Thank You to the Families Who Continue to Make a Difference
At AJ Wakely & Sons, supporting families through a bereavement is at the heart of everything we do. While our role is to help families arrange a meaningful and personal farewell, we are also privileged to see the incredible generosity that follows, with many families choosing to ask for donations to charity in memory of someone they have loved.
Between 1st January and 31st July 2026, families who have arranged funerals with AJ Wakely & Sons have collectively raised an incredible £163,542 for 161 different charities.
We would like to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you to every family who has chosen to support a charity in memory of their loved one, and to everyone who has donated.
Every donation, whether large or small, represents an act of kindness and a lasting tribute to someone special.
Supporting 161 Charities Across Our Communities
The charities supported by families this year are incredibly varied, reflecting the different lives, interests, experiences and passions of those we have had the privilege of caring for.
The largest amount raised during this period was an incredible £47,759 for Weldmar Hospicecare, followed by:
- Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance – £7,228
- Cancer Research UK – £6,819
- Sidmouth Hospice at Home – £5,718
- St Margaret's Hospice Care – £5,237
Alongside these larger donations, families have supported a huge range of other organisations, from national charities such as the British Heart Foundation, Stroke Association, Alzheimer's Society and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, to local hospitals, hospice services, community organisations and animal sanctuaries across Somerset and Dorset.
Remembering a Loved One Through Giving
For many families, asking for donations to charity is a particularly meaningful way to remember someone.
A donation can reflect something that was important to them during their lifetime – perhaps a charity that supported them or their family, a cause they cared deeply about, or an organisation connected to their work, hobbies or interests.
It can also provide comfort to families knowing that, alongside celebrating the life of their loved one, they are helping others.
Some of the Local Charities Supported by Families
We are particularly proud to see so many local charities benefiting from the generosity of the families we serve.
Sidmouth Hospice at Home - provides specialist palliative care and support to people living with life-limiting illnesses in the Sid Valley, with its services provided free of charge to patients and their families.
Love Musgrove - is the official charity of Musgrove Park Hospital, raising funds for projects, buildings and equipment to improve the experience of patients.
Devon Air Ambulance - provides lifesaving critical care across Devon, attending hundreds of urgent missions every year.
The Friends of Wincanton Community Hospital - is a local charity raising funds to support Wincanton Community Hospital, including improvements to equipment, buildings and facilities for patients, visitors and staff.
Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support - supports people living with and beyond cancer, as well as their families, across Axminster, Lyme Regis and the surrounding communities.
These are just a handful of the many organisations that have received donations in memory of loved ones during the first seven months of 2026.
Thank You
£163,542 is an extraordinary amount, but behind that figure are 161 charities, hundreds of donations and, most importantly, hundreds of families choosing to turn their loss into something positive for others.
£163,542 is an extraordinary amount, but behind that figure are 161 charities, hundreds of donations and, most importantly, hundreds of families choosing to turn their loss into something positive for others.
Thank you to everyone who has donated, fundraised and supported these wonderful organisations in memory of someone special.
Your generosity helps ensure that their memory continues to make a difference.
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