Former Bar Beach resident, Sheila Woodcock, has left a donation of almost $14 million to 15 community organisations.
Miss
Woodcock passed away on May 12, 2018 aged 87, and was a lover of
animals, the arts, cricket, tennis,
chocolate and travel.
Local organisations who received part of the donation include the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, Salvation Army, Breast Cancer
Trials, RSPCA Newcastle and Vision Australia
Newcastle.
The funding
will support the construction of the region’s new RSPCA veterinary hospital, a new helicopter service training facility, several medical research programs,
scholarships for researchers and health professionals, and scholarship programs
and services for young people.
The Salvation Army will buy a property to create
accommodation for the homeless in Belmont.
Family spokesperson, Kent Woodcock, announced the funding today which he said is in addition to funding Miss Woodcock provided to some of the organisations, and others, throughout her life.
“This wasn't just a one off, this is over a life time as well. Sheila was about friendship, care and community," he said.
Mr Woodcock said Miss Woodcock had good business sense. Her grandfather established the family business Earp, Woodcock and Beveridge.
“Sheila became a major shareholder in the business and, with her business advisers, astutely managed her business affairs and invested wisely,’ he said.
“Sheila chose to share her fortune with others who were doing good work for others.”
CEO of Guide Dogs NSW, Dale Cleaver, says the donation to his organisation will support the training of another 25 guide dogs.
"It takes over $50,000 and two years to breed, raise and train a good guide dog, so Sheila's contribution is going to make quite a difference to us," he said.
"Without the generosity of people like Sheila, we wouldn't be able to deliver the services we do to people with vision impairment," he said.
Over her 30 years of friendship with guide dogs, Sheila provided close to $350,000.
Sheila Woodcock
Image Credit: Newcastle Herald
Image Credit: Newcastle Herald
