A Northamptonshire woman has left an amazing gift of £1.2 million to help fund Christian Aid's work in her will.
Mrs Katherine Mary Ball from Wellingborough, who died in December 2006, and whose estate has just been wound up, had been a supporter of Christian Aid since 1987.
Mrs Ball, who died aged 92, started work at 16 at Weetabix, then known as the Britain and Africa Cereal Company.
Giving to the poor
She and her husband Harold, who died in 1999 just weeks short of his 100th birthday, had no children and ran a cycle and electrical shop in Cambridge Street in Wellingborough for more than 20 years before they retired in 1965.
Revd Paul Bedford of Wellingborough United Reformed Church said: ‘Kath Ball and her husband Harold were generous and concerned members of this church. 'She was a loving disciple who expected high standards of herself and others. But her sense of humour also shone through.
Asked whether Christian Aid should mark Mrs Ball’s generous gift at the church he added: ‘Kath’s response would have been forthright! Use all the money for the charity’s work with poor communities.’
Future generations
Legacies account for about ten per cent of Christian Aid’s income and are one of the most tax-efficient ways of leaving money to a charity.
Colin Kemp, Christian Aid's legacy manager, said 'Mrs Ball’s legacy is about more than just money – it will enable Christian Aid, and our partner organisations, to invest in people’s futures and bring about real lasting change for generations to come.’
If you are interested in leaving money to Christian Aid in your will please call 020 7523 2173.