November 15th 2024.
Malcolm Chenery, a man with a £180,000 fortune, made the decision to leave his worldly goods to The British Diabetic Association instead of his relatives. This may come as a surprise to some, but it was Malcolm's wish that his estate be used for a greater cause. Sadly, in 2021, he took his own life, leaving behind a handwritten will that was found on the inside of a Young's frozen fish fillets box. However, due to lack of space, he had to finish writing it on a Mr Kipling mince pies box.
In his will, Malcolm stated that everything he owned, including his three-bedroom house, cash, his mother's old jewelry, and his collection of ornaments and pottery, should be given to the charity. He had a personal connection to the cause, having lost family members to diabetes in the past. Malcolm also made it clear that he did not want his sisters and nieces to inherit his fortune, as he had a strained relationship with them.
The charity faced some legal hurdles when they attempted to have the will recognized in court. This was because the two "pages" of the will were written on different boxes, raising doubts about their validity as parts of the same document. However, the High Court heard that the second page had been properly witnessed and signed by Malcolm's neighbors. The only issue was that they did not witness the first page, which named the charity as the main beneficiary.
The fact that the pages were written on different food boxes raised concerns about their authenticity. But the charity's lawyer argued that the pages were written in the same pen, indicating that they were made at the same time. He also pointed out that there was overlapping subject matter, further strengthening the argument that the two pages should be considered as one will.
In the end, the High Court ruled in favor of the charity, stating that it was clear that Malcolm did not want his possessions to go to his family. He had a strained relationship with them, and it was evident that he wanted his estate to be used for a cause close to his heart. The judge also noted that the will was described as such by the witnesses and was clearly intended to be a legal document.
It was also revealed that Malcolm had expressed his wishes for his dog Tilly and for his ashes to be scattered at York Cricket Club. He had a deep love for his pet and a connection to the cricket club, making these requests a part of his final will.
If you or someone you know needs emotional support, you can contact the Samaritans helpline, which is available 24/7. Their HOPELINE247 is also open every day of the year, providing support to those who are struggling. Remember, it's okay to ask for help.
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