Garden Party Celebrates the Gift of a Legacy

Bield Housing And Care Press releases

30 AUG Legacy Garden Party 2A group of retirement housing tenants have celebrated the gift of a legacy at a garden party held in honour of a generous donor.

Residents at Bield’s Fountain Quay complex at Kirn, Argyll are enjoying new additions to their garden and communal areas thanks to a donation from a former tenant.

Bield is Scotland’s leading provider of housing and care, and as a charity it relies on donations such as legacies to enhance and add value to the services they provide.

The anonymous donor lived at the Fountain Quay retirement housing development for several years before her death.

She bequeathed a substantial undisclosed sum which has been spent on improvements to the garden as well as a refurbished conservatory, an entertainment system and new access doors.

A Celebration of Life

Last month tenants and friends enjoyed a garden party in honour of the donation and in remembrance of their late acquaintance.

Alice Williamson, manager at Bield Fountain Quay, said: “This lady was happy here and left us a sum of money in her Will that was to be used for the good of the tenants. The tenants and staff got together and decided how the legacy should be spent.

“This lady enjoyed the garden so it was fitting for us to plant some new rose bushes as well as put up a plaque in the garden in her honour.

“We also put in some new doors that are easier for the tenants to use, and refurbished the conservatory. The tenants enjoy movie nights, so we bought a new DVD player and projector screen.”

Bield’s Fundraiser Kevin Rowe said: “This is a wonderful example of the difference a legacy can make.

“It can bring such joy to those we leave behind. Anyone’s legacy can make a real difference and we ask people to consider leaving a legacy to Bield in their Will once their loved ones have been looked after.”

Brian Logan, Chief Executive at Bield said: “As Scotland’s leading provider of housing, care and community services for the older people, we are committed to ensure that the quality care we provide will boost and improve lives.

“We are so grateful for this legacy as donations play a valuable role within Bield and help us promote our ‘Free to Be’ vision of allowing people to make their own choices and lead independent and fulfilling lives.”

Bield – a registered charity – has grown from humble beginnings, starting out with one housing development in Bo’ness to become a major provider of a wide range of housing and services for around 20,000 older people across 22 local authority areas.