MFI chief leaves pounds 9m to charity
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The founder of the MFI furniture chain, Arthur Southon, has left pounds 9.2m, most of his fortune, to charity.
A million partially sighted and blind people will benefit from the bequests in his will, which has just been published.
Mr Southon, of Canford Cliffs, Poole, Dorset, who was the co-founder and former chairman of the MFI furniture group, died of prostate cancer last July, aged 80. His will leaves most of his estate to three charities: the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), Fight for Sight and the Institute of Cancer Research.
The RNIB, which last year went pounds 2.5m into the red because of a drop in legacies, is set to receive a quarter of the estate. Andrew Essex of the RNIB said the charity was "over the moon" with the bequest.
Mr Southon, who had problems with his own eyesight, also bequeathed pounds 250,000 to the eye unit at his local hospital, the Royal Bournemouth.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
0Comments