Generous legacy to benefit thousands

Generous Ben Benjamin and his wife, Barbara, left 1.2m to be distributed to three good causes in the Bognor Regis and Chichester areas.

The money has been distributed equally between St Richard's Hospital, Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital and St Wilfrid's Hospice.

The single biggest cheque presentation Bognor has ever seen, to hand over the donations, was held by the town's Lions club.

President Allan Pridie said: "This was an amazing gesture by Mr and Mrs Benjamin. Ben was my sponsoring Lion when I joined and it's nice for me to be able to do this for him and Barbara."

Mr Benjamin joined the Lions in February 1973 and remained a member until his death ten years ago aged 96. He was the club's president for 1979-80.

He was survived by Mrs Benjamin, who died on June 1 last year aged 98.

Through his membership of the Lions, Mr Benjamin become involved with a number of local causes. They included the hospitals and hospice.

It was his wish that the bulk of his estate should be divided by the Lions between the three beneficiaries once he and his wife had died. They had no family.

Mr and Mrs Benjamin lived in Barrack Lane and Mr Benjamin worked for the giant Associated Press Corporation publishing its Kelly's Directories.

Mr Pridie said: "Ben and Barbara were a very pleasant people and a quite unassuming couple.

"He was quite a small man but they were both very community minded and this shows through with this presentation."

There is likely to be even more money for the hospitals and hospice from Mr and Mrs Benjamin. They will receive the small surplus left from the administration of the couple's estate.

The nearest the Lions club can come to such a handout was the creation of the Rowland Rank Centre in Aldwick for 220,000 about 20 years ago.

HOW THE MONEY WILL BE SPENT

This how the donations will be put to good use:

St Richard's Hospital '“ The Benjamins' legacy will pay for the pharmacy in the new 3m cancer care day centre.

The hospital opened an appeal for some 450,000 but immediately closed it once they were told about the donation.

The new facility will be named The Benjamin Pharmacy in the couple's honour when it opens on July 1 this year.

Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital '“ The 400,000 will enable its X-ray department to be doubled in size and the minor injuries unit to be made slightly bigger.

Work should start on the improvements in the next three months.

Gareth Howell, who manages the hospital for West Sussex NHS Primary Care Trust, said: "We will be able to see another 1,500-2,000 patients a year in the X-ray department on top of the existing 3,000 patients. The minor injuries unit will also be open longer after it is extended. "

St Wilfrid's Hospice '“ 400,000 will pay all the running costs of the hospice of 14 beds and 12 patient day care unit for a month.

Or it would finance almost an entire year of work by the hospice's community nursing team in looking after 210 patients in their own homes.

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