Food bank founder leaves £1m to good causes in her will

Food bank founder leaves £1m to good causes in her will Tributes were paid to Rachael Rodway, who was greatly admired by friends and colleagues. She was the founder and chair of trustees of Carlisle Foodbank, which helped countless families. A kind-hearted community campaigner left more than £1m to charity when she died. Tributes were paid to Rachael Rodway, described as an 'incredible' force for good by friends and colleagues. She was the founder and chair of trustees of Carlisle Foodbank in Cumbria, which helped countless families. And she was also the trustee of several other charities and a well-respected solicitor before her death in April, 2022. She left a gift of more than £1 million in her will to Cumbria Community Foundation (CCF), to help those suffering from poverty and poor health. The charity and its volunteers paid tribute to Rachael's selfless work behind the scenes. The group also helps fight inequality and promotes community cohesion and climate change. Caroline Adams, Development Manager for Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We were absolutely stunned and delighted to learn Rachael had left this incredible gift in her will. "As the driving force behind Carlisle Foodbank, Rachael understood the Cumbrian charity sector better than anyone. "Therefore, we’re particularly pleased that she entrusted her money to us to make a difference in Cumbrian communities where it is most needed. The Cumbria Fund is our most flexible and powerful fund, which we can direct to address the priority issues in our county.” A café opened last year and was named ‘Rachael’s’ in honour of its founder. Steph Humes, operations director at Carlisle Food Bank, said "everyone agreed it would be a lovely way to remember her... people who come in the cafe ask who Rachael was and we tell them all about her". She added that Rachael "did a lot of work behind the scenes" at the food bank. "She was in here right up until the end, very much playing down her illness," Steph said. She described the Rachael as "just incredible, not just for this place but for the whole community". To find out more about supporting those in need in Cumbria, contact Caroline on 01900 820825 or email [email protected]