A generous act of kindness from a woman in Cumbria will continue to benefit communities in the county for years to come. Margaret Ewins, a resident of Ings, Windermere, has left a bequest of £500,000 to Cumbria Community Foundation in her will.
To honor her generosity, the Community Foundation has set up the Margaret Ewins Memorial Fund, which will provide grants to various charities and organizations in Cumbria. This fund will be managed by the Community Foundation and will focus on helping those in need, including children, young people, and vulnerable older individuals.
Caroline Adams, Development Manager at Cumbria Community Foundation, expressed gratitude for Ewins’ generous gift, stating, “We are so grateful to the late Mrs Ewins for choosing to leave such a generous gift to Cumbria Community Foundation in her will.” She also explained that the fund will be carefully invested, and grants will be made each year based on the returns of that investment. This way, Ewins’ legacy gift will continue to support important projects and individuals in need for many years to come.
The Margaret Ewins Memorial Fund will follow the Foundation’s grant-making priorities, which include improving lives and strengthening communities. These priorities aim to reduce poverty, reach potential, improve health, tackle social inequality, nurture a sense of place, and act on climate change.
Fiona Ward, Managing Director and Solicitor at Tomson Hayton Winkley, worked with the Community Foundation to ensure Ewins’ wishes are carried out. She expressed delight in the creation of the memorial fund, stating, “She was very committed to supporting her community for years to come, and the Margaret Ewins Memorial Fund is a fitting way to mark her generosity and ensure her wishes are fulfilled.”
The Community Foundation is always looking for individuals who are interested in supporting local charities through legacy gifts. Options include donating to an existing fund, setting up a new fund tailored to specific charitable goals, or creating a memorial fund in honor of a loved one.
For more information on how to give back to the community through legacy gifts, interested parties can contact Caroline Adams or visit the Cumbria Community Foundation website for a Guide to Giving.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.