Denbighshire siblings leave behind £1.3m to Wales Air Ambulance

  • Published
Charles and Peggy family photoImage source, Family Photo
Image caption,

Siblings Charles and Peggy donated £1.3m to the lifesaving charity in their wills

Two siblings have gifted £1.3m to the Wales Air Ambulance in the largest legacy the charity has ever received.

Charles Tryweryn Davies, 92, and Margaret Eunice Davies, 89, known as Peggy, left most of their estate to the charity when they died.

The pair, who grew up on their family farm in Corwen, Denbighshire, were described as "local characters".

The Wales Air Ambulance said their generosity would fund over 280 lifesaving missions.

Peggy died in November 2019, followed by Charles four months later.

It is believed the siblings left the money to the air ambulance charity as a thank you for attending to Charles when had an accident with a tractor.

Merfyn Roberts, their friend, said: "I remember Charles telling me about his accident and how grateful he was for the fantastic service he had received, but we didn't know their intentions until after their deaths."

Image source, Family photo
Image caption,

Charles and Peggy grew up on their family farm with their six other siblings

He said Charles was a "mischievous character" who loved to collect clocks and Land Rovers, while Peggy enjoyed competing at gardening shows.

The siblings were described as living a simple and modest life, dedicated to the family farm and helping the local community by driving the school taxi.

The Wales Air Ambulance Service said it was "humbled by this incredibly generous donation", adding that it was the largest legacy ever left to the charity.

"It is a shame that we never got to meet Charles and Peggy, but it is clear to see from their generosity and from hearing the stories about them, the type of characters they were."

Image source, WALES AIR AMBULANCE
Image caption,

Merfyn Roberts and Iolo Evans, who were the executors of Charles and Peggy's wills, met the air ambulance crew

In their later years, both Charles and Peggy spent time living at Cysgod Y Gaer nursing home in Corwen.

Mr Roberts said: "They are buried next to their brother, Ivor.

"On their headstone, they have 'Rhoi eu hoes i ffermio'n gymen, Rhoi eu helw i elusen', which translates to 'they gave their lives to farming, they gave their profits to charity,' which I think summed them up nicely."