Shining a light on Lilian's story: Remember a charity with Action for Children
This Remember a Charity Week, we are spotlighting Lilian and the lasting impact she’s had on vulnerable children and families across the UK by leaving a gift in her will.
Remember a Charity Week is hosted by Remember a Charity – an organisation that encourages people to leave a gift in their will to charity. The week-long campaign raises awareness of how leaving a gift to charity can have a vital impact.
This year, Remember a Charity Week 2023 runs from 11th – 17th September.
At Action for Children, we are celebrating the week by highlighting the remarkable story of Lilian who dedicated her career to supporting children at the National Children’s Homes (now Action for Children).
At 27, Lilian moved to London to start her journey into the sisterhood – a religious community of women of the church. She trained for three years and joined officially after her ordination in June 1963. In July, Lilian was then placed into one of our homes where she devoted her time to supporting the home’s children and ensuring that they had a safe and happy childhood.
Lilian’s niece, Hilary, reached out to us to share her aunt’s story.
My Aunt always talked fondly about her time working for the National Children’s Homes. Some of her best friends were her colleagues from the sisterhood. Throughout her life she always cared for the children she met.
Hilary, Lilian's niece
Even when Lillian wasn’t working, she devoted her life to children. Hilary shared stories about her involvement with both the girl's and boy's brigade, and how she always supported families that had children or were expecting a baby, even outside of work.
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Years after her time at the National Children’s Home, Lilian would still receive letters from the children telling her about their latest activities and progress in school. Her impact on their lives and the warmth she showed them was clear.
“Dear Sister Lilian, I hope you are well and happy. We have not seen you for ages! We've been told that you will be coming, so I hope it will be soon. I hope to go out with my friend this afternoon. This year the home is going to camp again, but we don't know where yet. Have you still got your little van?”
A child that Lilian looked after whilst working at the National Children's Home
Lilian’s dedication to helping children did not end when she left the National Children's Home; she chose to leave a gift in her will to Action for Children. By doing so, Lilian continues to care for those most vulnerable.
I hope the gift she left in her will continues to help the disadvantaged children that Action for Children care for.
Hilary, Lilian's niece
Thanks to Lilian’s gift, we can continue to help keep children safe and healthy. Over 24% of our donations last year (2022) came from gifts in wills; and through these gifts, we helped change the lives of 604,885 children, young people, and their families.
If you would like to learn more about leaving a legacy to Action for Children, you can visit our Gifts in Wills page or email [email protected]
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