Representatives of four local charities received cheques totalling £3,695 from the Rowland Brothers Foundation as a result of Rowland Brothers’ 2018 Christmas Tree Appeal carried out at its branches in West Croydon, Purley, Old Coulsdon, Warlingham and New Addington.

The appeal itself raised £1,847.50 in donations from individuals and families for whom Rowland Brothers conducted funerals in the previous year. This amount was doubled by the Rowland Brothers Foundation in a matching donation. Each of the four charities received cheques for £923.75. This was an increase of 36 per cent on the 2017 Christmas appeal.

The photographs show Rowland Brothers’ managing director Steve Rowland presenting the cheques to Liz Curtis of The Lily Foundation (at the Warlingham branch office with area manager David Collins, left, and Aftercare Officer Charles King, looking on); and to Angie Henley of Woodside Bereavement Counselling Service; Linda Cress of the Brenda Kirby Cancer Centre); and Wendy Ager of the South East Cancer Help Centre (at the Whitehorse Road head office, with general manager Gary Bruce, left, and Charles King looking on).