A CHARITY trust which has helped hundreds of people in need in Malton and Norton is 100 years old.

The Simpson Trust has donated over £34,000 to benefit more than 500 local people during the last 10 years through trust income and the generous support of donors.

On April 4 1924 Miss Sarah Elizabeth Simpson donated £10,000 - equivalent to £500,000 nowadays - to form a trust fund. This fund was to be invested and the proceeds used for "The relief and assistance of any old or infirm or poor and necessitous deserving people in and about New Malton, Old Malton, Norton and surrounding district without regard to sex, denomination, religious belief or political opinion"

Martin Sleeman, Vice Chair of the Trustees and retired Malton GP, said; "The original trustees were two local solicitors, a bank manager and a vicar. The charity was named "Simpson's Trust" to commemorate "The long and honourable connection of her family with Malton and the surrounding neighbourhood.”

"Recent research has shown that Sarah Elizabeth Simpson was born in Malton in July 1848. Her father was William Simpson. He was born in 1816 and was a solicitor in Malton and Norton following in the footsteps of his father Alfred.

"It appears that William was held in high esteem since at his funeral in 1889 there was a procession led by the police of the East and North Riding Constabulary and was attended by many of the business fraternity as well as friends and family.

Martin added: "A month after William’s death Sarah’s mother, also called Sarah, died. Her father had been an ironmonger in Wheelgate, Malton.

"Sarah had one brother, Alfred, born in 1853 and a sister, Laura, born in 1855.

"Her brother Alfred was a barrister. However there is no record of any paid employment undertaken by either Sarah or her sister Laura. This was not uncommon for ladies of wealthy families at this time.

"None of the three siblings married and following the deaths of their parents, they all lived together at The Mount St Nicholas Street Norton. Laura died in September in 1921 (leaving a considerable sum of money to Sarah) and Alfred died two months later.

"Sarah herself died three months after setting up the Trust in 1924."

Martin added: "The trustees and their successors met quarterly and gave hundreds of donations, initially never more than £1 at a time, till in the 1970s that generation of trustees modernised the investment strategy of the remaining capital and made more realistic grants.

"The trustees still meet quarterly to discuss grant applications and are also able to act rapidly through email contact with each other. Grants are typically in the region of £50-£150.

"They may be used for the purchase of urgently needed household goods or clothing when household circumstances have changed for any reason, or can be given in cash as support while state benefits are being assessed. Emergency grants have been made for electricity or gas provision and transport costs for hospital visits. The trustees also regularly provide money for Christmas gifts for the most needy children in the area as determined by local schools.

"The trustees welcome grant applications. They continue to be channelled through church members, school or playgroup contacts, and through other charities such as the food bank."

"If any of your readers has a photograph or portrait of Miss Sarah Simpson the trustees would be pleased to add this to Trust publicity."

If you believe you may benefit or are aware of individuals who may qualify for a grant, or if you wish to make a donation, please contact the secretary Christine Grice, 01653 699799 or email: pgrice@btinternet.com or go to www.simpsonstrust.org