Surprise £1M gift
12/11/2009
A couple from Fife have stunned the RNLI by leaving the lifesaving charity £1M.
Hugh and Molly Brown were long-term supporters of the RNLI. Born in Pittenweem and Islay respectively, they met and worked in India before retiring to Kinghorn where they lived for 25 years. Notable among their numerous lifetime donations was £20,000 for the lifeboat launching trailer at Kinghorn RNLI. Molly passed away in July 2006 and Hugh in February this year, leaving their estate to the RNLI - an amazing £1M.
A cheque is to be formally presented to the charity today by the Browns' friend Charles Ritchie. The funds will go towards projects across Scotland, including crew training and lifeboat maintenance at Islay and the extension of Eyemouth lifeboat station. Mr Ritchie explains: 'Hugh and Molly had a bungalow built with uninterrupted views of the Forth. The Kinghorn lifeboat was a regular sight on the river, either out training or on a call-out, and Hugh himself had been helped by the RNLI on a couple of occasions. Their roots were firmly with the sea, hence their bequest to the RNLI in support of others.’
Charlie Tulloch, Lifeboat Operations Manager for Kinghorn RNLI lifeboat station says: ‘All the volunteers here are very, very grateful. We are lucky to have people like Hugh and Molly Brown and a community who support us.’
Linda Aitken, Legacy Manager for the RNLI in Scotland, says: ‘We were stunned when we heard, and truly grateful for such generosity. Although six out of ten RNLI lifeboat launches are funded through gifts left in Wills, it is rare to receive such a large bequest. Such kindness in sad times is wonderful, whether a legacy, funeral collection, or a coin in a fundraising box.'
Those who have lost loved ones can celebrate their memory by setting up a tribute fund with the RNLI or using the 'Remember a loved one' part of the RNLI website.
