Seb Coe joins in celebration for new athletics programme

WHERE THERE’S A WILL THERE’S A WAY

December 2009

Gillian Brown, a Partner with law firm Maxwell MacLaurin, one of the Trustees of a charitable trust established under a will, has proved that old saying ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’ for after twelve year search the intentions of a client’s will have finally been fulfilled in a true sporting manner.

Christina Gould, who died in 1995, made provision in her will that a trust was to be established with the monies in her estate. However, the trust provisions are very specific as to what the purpose of the trust is namely:-

“To organise or provide or assist in the organisation or provision of facilities for physical recreation in the interests of social welfare for young persons in the Kelvin Grove area of Glasgow who by reason of their youth or social and/or economic circumstances have need for such facilities with the object of improving their conditions of life.”

Gillian Brown explains, “We have been working extremely hard trying to find appropriate beneficiaries. We have written to local schools inviting them to think of suitable causes and contacted various athletics and after school clubs over the years but no-one came forward with an appropriate scheme. We’ve also been trying to trace any relatives of Mrs Gould as we thought it would be exciting for them to be involved.

“We were eventually approached by Scottish Athletics who quickly recognised the opportunity the Trust presented. They put together a programme incorporating a series of event and initiatives planned to take place over the next three years promoting athletics within schools.”

“In November, 60 children living in the Kelvingrove area kicked off the series with a Giant Heptathlon which was aimed at secondary one and secondary two pupils. The event also co-incided with the 1,000 day countdown to the London Olympics so the children were lucky to be joined by Lord Seb Coe, Chairman of the organising Committee of the games.”

The Giant Heptathlon will be followed up with the introduction of a ‘Junior Jog Scotland Programme’ in primary schools initially and then rolled out into secondary schools. The monies received from Trust will also enable local leaders to be trained to coach athletics; and allow further training for existing coaches to be made be available. Athletics packs will also be distributed to schools and a number of events will be staged over the next three years.

Gillian added, “We are still keen to get in touch with any relatives of Christina as it would be nice if they could be involved in the programme in some way and see the great work the Trust is enabling.”

In addition to Gillian the remaining Trustees include retired accountant, Gordon Johnstone and businessman and running enthusiast, Peter Carton.

Further information is available by emailing Gillian Brown on gbrown@maxwellmaclaurin.co.uk.

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For further information: Sharon McEwan BRIGHT PR 0141 248 1234 info@brightpr.com