Leave a gift in your Will for everyone in Essex

20th October 2021

Supporting local communities through us by leaving a legacy in your Will is becoming increasingly popular.

As well as making a difference now, your gift will last for many years to come and there are tax incentives when you give to charity in this way. If you are thinking about leaving a legacy, a good place to start is by talking to your professional adviser, or you can call us to talk through your ideas.

Here is a lovely story about a lady who made a generous bequest to us this year.

Gwendy Marrs Fund

Gwendy was born in 1930 and lived most of her 90 years in North Essex. From a young age she had a love of dancing and by her late teens she had become one of the high-kicking Tiller Girls made famous by the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium. She was a member of the dance troupe for four years, culminating in its 1952 tour of South Africa.

When she returned to Essex, Gwendy started work for the Colchester Lathe Company where she stayed for 31 years. After her husband Colin died in 1983, she resumed her love of performing and made appearances as an extra on many well-known TV series, including Hi-De-Hi and Lovejoy.

Gwendy is fondly remembered by all who knew her as a warm and exuberant personality, the life and soul of any gathering, and as someone who enjoyed her nearly 90 years to the full.

She was involved in many local community activities and we were delighted to receive a legacy from her. We look forward to keeping her memory alive through the Fund established in her name.

“Gwendy was such a wonderful lady who was full of enthusiasm for life. Dancing and performing were her passion, and she was always keen to be involved in local activities whether it was through the church or the croquet club.

“She had no children or close family to leave her estate to, so when I raised the idea of setting up a Fund in her name with ECF and leaving a legacy, Gwendy was so pleased that she could help people after she died, and that she would be remembered for years to come.” Fiona Ashworth, Thompson Smith and Puxon

We can help you support your local community in many ways. No matter which option you choose or what you want to achieve with your charitable giving, we make it easy for you to support a wide range of local voluntary organisations working at the grassroots of our communities.

To find out more about leaving a legacy please click here or call Perry Norton, Head of Development, on 01245 355947 or e-mail perry@essexcf.org.uk