On Friday 4th October 2024, Ian Hazel Funerals opened their Sutton Coldfield offices to something a little different.

The team hosted the Annual Buddy Bag Foundation Awards, welcoming around 70 guests including award winners, supporters and the Mayor of the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, Councillor John Perks.

After Lynne told Zoe Sutton was short of the Daniel Baird Foundation Bleed Control kits, Zoe set about fundraising to get at least one in the town. That mission was achieved in just 45 minutes of her GoFundMe page going live at the end of May, after Seb Clough from onethebreadline bakery said he would pay for the whole thing – giving £600 to do so.

About the Buddy Bag Foundation

The Buddy Bag Foundation is a Birmingham-based charity that provides bags filled with essential items to children removed from their homes in emergency situations. When a child is taken to a place of safety by police or social services, they often leave with nothing. A Buddy Bag changes that, giving them something small to hold on to at an incredibly frightening time.

It's the kind of charity that does quiet, vital work. And it's the kind of cause Ian Hazel Funerals has been proud to support for a number of years.

Recognised for community support

For their role in hosting and supporting the awards evening, Ian Hazel Funerals received the CSR Accreditation Associate Membership 2024. The award was presented personally by Karen Willian OBE, co-founder of the Buddy Bag Foundation.

It's not the first time the business has received this kind of recognition. Ian Hazel Funerals has previously held a CRSA Award, reflecting values that have run through this family firm across four generations.

Why this matters to us

A funeral director serves people at their most vulnerable. That same commitment to people in difficult times is what draws Ian Hazel Funerals to support work like the Buddy Bag Foundation.

Supporting local charities isn't a box-ticking exercise for the team. It's part of who they are.

If you'd like to find out more about the Buddy Bag Foundation or support their work, visit buddybagfoundation.co.uk.