Gift in Wills: Lewis' legacy

“Uncle Lewis supported Yorkshire Cancer Research for most of his life. After all those years, it wasn’t a surprise that he wanted to leave a lasting legacy that would support the charity for years to come,” explains his niece, Joanna Birch.

Lewis Dalby left a gift in his Will to Yorkshire Cancer Research after more than 50 years of support for the charity.

His legacy means he continues to help find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer for generations to come. World-class pioneering research that saves lives in Yorkshire is made possible by gifts like Lewis’.

Joanna said: “Yorkshire Cancer Research was a big part of Lewis’ life and continuing that connection with the charity was important to him.”

Lewis became involved in the charity’s Barnsley Local Volunteer Group after he began working for HSBC at the start of his career. A colleague was a member of the group, and asked Lewis to act as treasurer. Lewis later became Chairman of the group, a position he held for many years.

Helen Swift, Secretary of the Barnsley Local Volunteer Group and friend of Lewis, said: “He was so pleased to be offered the prestigious post and also that his wife, Cynthia, was able to take on the role of secretary to the committee. They very much worked together in all aspects of the roles.

“His heart was always with Yorkshire Cancer Research. He absolutely loved the charity and was always proud to hear about the excellent research that supporters of the charity had funded.

Joanna also has fond memories of Lewis’ involvement with the Local Volunteer Group.

She said: “He used to have a huge amount of the charity’s Christmas cards that he’d sell to raise funds. Every year he’d come home with a stack and those were the cards the whole family would send out.”

Throughout the years, Lewis helped the volunteers organise and host many fundraising events.

Helen continued: “Most members of the group remember Lewis being the ‘host’ at all events, welcoming everyone and putting them at ease. Every year we undertook a sponsored 10-mile walk and Lewis started early putting up signs letting people know that there would be walkers on the road.

“During the walk he would check on walkers and hand out sweets and words of encouragement. At half-time, he helped Cynthia with the teas and biscuits and was always ready to enjoy a joke and share a story.”

Lewis continued to be an active part of the volunteer group well past his 90th birthday, and often helped by holding collections at the local supermarket or managing donations.

Helen said: “After his retirement he continued in the role of Chairman for many years. Even when he eventually stepped down from that role, he continued to be an active member of the committee until he passed away in his late 90s.”

Thanks to those like Lewis who have generously left a gift in their Will, Yorkshire Cancer Research is funding life-saving research.

Dr Kathryn Scott, Chief Executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “Gifts in Wills are so important to the vital work we do as a charity. We are grateful to Lewis and his family for thinking of us.

“The generosity of those who have remembered Yorkshire Cancer Research in their Will is changing lives in Yorkshire today.”