BBC NEWS Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific Arabic Spanish Russian Chinese Welsh
BBCi CATEGORIES   TV   RADIO   COMMUNICATE   WHERE I LIVE   INDEX    SEARCH 

BBC NEWS
 You are in: UK: England
Front Page 
World 
UK 
England 
Northern Ireland 
Scotland 
Wales 
UK Politics 
Business 
Sci/Tech 
Health 
Education 
Entertainment 
Talking Point 
In Depth 
AudioVideo 


Commonwealth Games 2002

BBC Sport

BBC Weather

SERVICES 
Thursday, 18 October, 2001, 16:54 GMT 17:54 UK
Widow's millions surprise neighbours
A cat being treated by animal charity
It was one the largest legacies for the PDSA
A widow who lived in a modest two-bedroom bungalow has shocked friends and neighbours by leaving more than £2m to charities.

Edna Barclay, who died aged 96 earlier this year, devoted herself to caring for animals.

Neighbours in Sudbury, Suffolk, said they were surprised to hear she had left such a large sum in her will.


She just loved animals. If she saw a fledgling she used to take it in and try and save it

Brenda Jennings, friend
Betty Buckhurst, 91, who knew Mrs Barclay for more than 30 years, said: "I had quite a shock, I didn't know anything about it.

"I knew she and her husband weren't poor because they used to go out everywhere."

The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), which she had supported for nearly 50 years, received £1m in the will.

A further £1m has been split between nine other charities, six of them animal related.

Just £70,000 was left to friends and relatives - the largest sum of £20,000 going to a niece.

Dog being treated at animal charity PDSA
Mrs Barclay was "fanatical" over animals
Mrs Barclay had been married twice and had no children.

Another neighbour, Brenda Jennings said: "She was a very private person and wouldn't have wanted people talking about her.

"She just loved animals. If she saw a fledgling she used to take it in and try and save it.

"She was fanatical over them and despised anyone who was cruel to them."

Speaking on behalf of the PDSA, Gill Hubbard said: "It is one of the largest legacies this year.

"The money was bequest for general usage. It will be put towards furthering our cause in treating sick and injured animals.

"Legacies are a major source of our income and we are particularly grateful Mrs Barclay's large bequest."

See also:

Internet links:


The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

Links to more England stories are at the foot of the page.


E-mail this story to a friend

Links to more England stories