£1m will to boost work of charities

From: ic NorthWales, UK - Aug 6, 2004

By Gareth Hughes, Daily Post

NORTH Wales hospices, hospitals and charities are in line for massive cash windfalls thanks to the generosity of a former bank manager.

Hugh William Pierce, better known as Gwilym, died in January this year, leaving an estate worth just over £1m.

Apart from a few family bequests, the majority of the money is to be shared among several charities.

Mr Pierce's cousin, Megan Rees, told the Daily Post she expected each to receive up to £40,000.

They include St Kentigern, St David's and Hope House hospices, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and Colwyn Bay Hospitals, the National Deaf- Blind and Rubella Association, the Royal Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults, the Distressed Gentlefolk's Association, RNIB, Scope, Royal School for Deaf Children and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Mr Pierce, a bachelor, of Woodlea Gardens, Rhos on Sea, died at the age of 76 after a lengthy illness.

Although he was born in London, his parents were both from Garndolbenmaen, near Porthmadog, and during the war he was evacuated to the Ll£n peninsula.

After National Service he joined the Midland Bank and in his 30s became the youngestever manager in charge of the Kilburn branch.

He then moved to Harrow and in 1977 retired to live in Rhos-on-Sea.

Mrs Rees, who lives in Dolgellau, said he remained a fluent Welsh speaker throughout his life and was a generous benefactor of many causes.

"His main interests were the Freemasons and the Abbeyfield Society, of which he was treasurer in the Colwyn Bay area," she said.

"Having come from an ordinary background he was glad to have enough money to be able to make donations to various good cause," said Mrs Rees..

He made gifts to Colwyn Bay Hospital where he was a patient during the last few months of his life.

. Trefor Roland Jones, of Welshpool, who died in January, left an estate valued at £987,153 net, with £1,000 each going to the Robert Jones and Agnes Orthopaedic Hospital, in Gobowen, and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Copyright Trinity Mirror Plc 2004