Margaret's legacy continues to provide support in upper Teesdale 70 years on

A KIND-hearted upper Teesdale woman who died in 1943 is continuing to help people in the area more than 70 years later.
When Margaret Ann Cameron, of Ryder House, Middleton-in-Teesdale, passed away, she left the bulk of her estate to establish a nursing home for the benefit of residents of Forest and Frith, Newbiggin, Eggleston, Holwick, Lunedale, Mickleton, Romaldkirk, Baldersdale and her home village. Unfortunately, there was not enough money in her will to provide or run such a facility.
In the years following her death, a number of alternatives were suggested, all of which were turned down by the Charity Commissioners.
However, the money remained invested and in 1967, the commissioners agreed a scheme to benefit those in the areas stipulated by Mrs Cameron who were not in the best of health.
It was agreed this could include the supply of bedding, food, fuel and medicine; grants to the sick and infirm to offset the expense of “recuperative holidays or of obtaining domestic help” and donations to any convalescent home or other organisation established for the care and relief of the sick.
In 1967, it was envisaged that about £250 a year would be available for distribution.
Mrs Cameron’s legacy continues today in the form of the Cameron Relief in Sickness Trust.
The Monday Night Girls Group at Upper Teesdale Agricutlural Support Services helped put together Christmas hampers for this year’s beneficiaries, who are nominated by the trustees.
A donation of £100 has also been made to the Friday Morning Club, which is based at Middleton Methodist Church.