Former Gibraltar resident and philanthropist, the late Edith Dawson, has bequeathed a fund of over £340,000 to the GHA for the purchase of medical equipment. 

A cheque was handed over yesterday to GHA Director Kevin McGee by Douglas Vickers (a close friend of Edith and Executor of her Will), and lawyers Charles Gomez (Executor of her Will) and Daniel Benyunes. The Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, was also in attendance.

Edith Dawson was a generous woman who had previously made substantial donations to different charities in Gibraltar, including GADS (Gibraltar Alzheimer’s & Dementia Society), Little Smiles, Cancer Relief and The Gibraltar Society for the Visually Impaired (GSVI).

Mr Benyunes said: “Edith was very well integrated in Gibraltar society having moved here to live several years ago. She was very supportive of local charities and wanted this money to be used for the purchase of items that would improve our health service.”

GHA Director General, Kevin McGee, said: “We are grateful for Edith’s kind gesture and support for the GHA, which ultimately is support for the community of Gibraltar. This is a large sum of money that we have received today, and her estate can rest assured that it will be put to the best possible use in keeping with her wishes.”

For her part, the Minister for Health, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: “I would like to thank Edith Dawson’s estate for such a generous and substantial financial contribution to the GHA. From all accounts, Edith was a formidable woman, kind hearted and always willing to help the vulnerable. On behalf of the Government and people of Gibraltar, thank you for the donation which we will ensure is used for Cancer/Oncology Services and training in Gibraltar, as Ms Dawson so desired.”