The Martlets plays a vital role in helping people to live life as fully as they can, right up until the end. Through expert clinical care provided by highly skilled and experienced doctors and nurses, they ensure that wherever possible peace, respect and dignity is retained – it is a very simple and very human ethos. Emma Knight, Head of Corporate and Major Donor Giving was presented with a cheque for £595 to support their many activities.

The cheque was presented by Richard Whittle of Bungard Funeral Directors, Brighton & Hove’s oldest independent family funeral directors.  The business was founded in 1906 by Richard’s great, great grandfather and has become a cornerstone of Hove for over 110 years.

Richard was delighted that they were able to raise so much money. “We chose the Martlets to be our Charity of the Year because they provide such an invaluable support to the area. They care for people across our local community, yet the hospice is not part of the NHS. Financial support from individuals and community groups is essential for them to continue providing these vital hospice services. The Martlets is your local hospice and they do need your support.”

To find out more about them then please go to http://www.the martlets.org.uk

A lovely article in the Argus today 01/11/2016

ONE of the oldest established businesses in Sussex is celebrating its 110th anniversary in 2016.

There has been five generations at the helm of Bungard Funeral Directors, who are based in Sackville Road, Hove.

And current MD Richard Whittle is hoping there may be a sixth in the future with his son being born earlier this year.

Richard said: “We are very proud of our company, of what we have achieved over the years and what we continue to offer the community.
“We may be 110 years old this year but we certainly aim to continue for many years to come.”
It all began in April 1906 when Oliver Bungard, a monumental mason, conducted the first funeral for the company..
His two eldest sons, James Oliver and Ernest, joined the firm on leaving school and when their father died in 1919 they carried on as partners until Ernest died in 1928.
Ernest’s place was taken by younger brother and youngest son of James Oliver, Hervey Arnold, in 1922.
In 1930 they employed their brother-in-law William Wilmer who worked for the firm for the next 30 years.
James Oliver died in 1941 at which point the business was run under the direction of Hervey until his retirement in 1971.
In 1939 Leonard Whittle – who married one of James Oliver’s twin daughters, Margaret – joined the firm.
During the war Margaret took Leonard’s place in the business.
Rupert Hervey Bungard, Hervey Arnold’s son, joined the firm in 1970 and became a director of the firm in 1971.  Rupert retired in 2000 after 30 years at the family firm.
The current director team was established when James Whittle joined in 1968 and became Joint Managing Director with Rupert when Leonard Whittle.
James retired after 44 years with the company in 2012 and handed the reins over to his youngest son Richard as the fifth generation of the Bungard family lineage to join in 2011.
Richard says he has joined at a particularly exciting time for the business.
He said: “My key challenge is to ensure that the business and also importantly Bungard Funeral Directors location   meets modern customer needs but preserves the history and tradition of the property and the family.
“In the early years of the business a Chapel of Rest was not required as families usually laid their deceased at home.
“As this tradition changes the need for a chapel became apparent and therefore renovation took place to include a chapel.
“Since I joined the entire shop front and chapel have been updated with a modern clean look and soon the shop signage will reflect the new modern branding that has also been introduced with our new website.”
Bungard Funeral Directors has worked with the local community for five generations, two world wars and over 100 years and remains committed to helping local families, charities and businesses to the best of their ability.
Richard and his wife Amie welcomed a possible sixth generation this year with the birth of their son Luke in May.
Richard hopes that one day his son will be inspired to carry on the family business one day.
He said: “We are 110 years old, we are still the original family and we believe in serving the community in the best possible way we can.”

The Carers Centre, is a charity that is passionate about looking after Carers in Brighton and Hove. The Carers Centre offers different kinds of services working with and supporting young and adult carers in the city. Chris Lau, the Director of the Chairty was presented with a cheque for £480 to support their many activities.

The cheque was presented by Richard Whittle of Bungard & Sons Limited, Brighton & Hove’s oldest independent family funeral directors.  The business was founded in 1906 by Richard’s great, great grandfather and has become a cornerstone of Hove for over 110 years.

Richard was delighted to receive in return a card created by the children at the Centre and said “We chose the Carer’s Centre to be our charity of the year because we have found a lot of crossover with the families that we help and support. Many people do not realise they have been carer’s for years and it is important to help make people aware and that their is support for them out there. With all this they truly benefit the local community and that is something we want to support.”

To find out more and to help support a local charity go to http://www.thecarerscentre.org/

Bungard funeral directors in Hove are improving their free aftercare service for its customers in a bid to offer much needed practical and emotional support to people who have recently been bereaved,

Bungards have teamed up with experienced bereavement counsellor, Eve Miller to offer two free counselling sessions. Eve has been practising as a counsellor in Hove for over 10 years and was previously an accredited Bereavement Counsellor for Cruse Bereavement Care and helped launch the aftercare service.

In addition to offering emotional support Bungards have also teamed up with Home & Company, a local home help organisation, to offer practical help in the home. Home & Company will provide up to four free hours of their service and can provide help with shopping, cooking, laundry and any other help around the house that is needed.

“At Bungards Funeral Directors we believe that we have an important responsibility to care for our families, not just by offering support during the funeral, but also providing aftercare in the difficult days, weeks and months that follow” says Richard Whittle, Managing Director.

A recent report by The National Council for Palliative Care said that 75% of people who have been bereaved said they didn’t get the support they needed. After the inevitable busy period immediately following someone’s death it can be particularly lonely and difficult to get back to doing the things you did. By offering aftercare in the form of counselling and practical home help Bungards hope to help with the grieving and healing process.

Simon Jupp being presented a plaque for 40 years service by James Whittle and Richard Whittle (Great Grandson and Great Great Grandson of the founder)

This week we have been celebrating the long service of Simon Jupp who is one our part time Funeral Assistants.  Simon has worked with us for 40 years and started in 1976 when he was 18.

Simon is now the 3rd longest serving employee in the history of the firm having overtaken his brother in law Rupert Bungard (who is the grandson of the founder) several years ago. James Whittle is second having been with the firm for 44 years. James retired in 2012 but is still involved as company director. The current longest serving is Hervey Bungard (Rupert’s father) who joined in 1922 and retired in 1971 and working for 49 years.

We would like to congratulate Simon again on a fantastic achievement. We know how proud he is of his work. Congratulations Simon.