Chippenham
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Sporting trust for youngsters
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| Norman Haines with young cyclist Katie Curd and, right, his wife Thelma |
PENSIONER Norman Haines is determined the memory of his wife will live on through a fundraising trust he has established in her name to help sporty youngsters.
Mr has raised thousands of pounds since his wife Thelma died aged 74 two years ago.
As the second anniversary of her death approaches, Mr Haines, 75, of Chapel Lane, Box, has spoken movingly of what drives him to help others.
He said "Thelma and I had planned to do many things with our savings when we retired but then we found out Thelma had cancer and two weeks to live.
"So I thought about setting up a sports trust for children to keep her memory alive."
He sold off a number of antiques and also gave some of his own savings to the Thelma Haines Trust which is managed by the Bingham Trust which provides money for the Box community.
Children in Box can apply for funding for sports equipment and activities.
He said: "My wife was so sporty.
She played hockey when I met her and in her last few years she enjoyed badminton, cricket and short mat bowls.
"Thelma was very dear to me. We were married 46 years."
Mrs Haines was a volunteer with many organisations in the village including the ladies badminton club which she led until she retired in 2004.
Mr Haines never had any interest in sport but admired his wife's enthusiasm for it.
The Thelma Haines Trust has successfully funded three causes in the last 18 months.
A total of £800 has been spent on Box Sports Pavilion, and the Green Room Youth Club, which used the funds to buy sports equipment.
Kate Curd, who is now 18, applied for funding to pay for cycling equipment and clothing and the fund helped her to take part in the 2007 world mountain bike championships at Fort William, in Scotland.
She said: "I am so grateful for the funding I have received from the trust because it helped pay for me to travel to Scotland."
Mr Haines hopes that through the Thelma Haines Trust young sports stars will be made.
He said: It would make her proud and me happy to see a young Tim Henman or Serena Williams come from the village."
For more information on the Trust contact John Kirby on (01225) 742469.
11:45am Friday 25th April 2008
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