A FORMER Vickers shipyard worker left a tremendous legacy by gifting St Mary's Hospice £135,000 in his will. 

Tony Moon died in April 2022 when he was 60 but he wrote in his will that he wanted the value of his estate to go to the Ulverston hospice, which supports people with terminal illnesses across south Cumbria.

St Mary's Hospice received the sum after a visit from Mr Moon's executor - his auntie Kath Brown.

Mrs Brown is the widow of Mr Moon's uncle Kev Brown, who was cared for at St Mary's Hospice before he died. 

Mr Moon had no children or spouse so he asked Kath to be the executor of his will. 

Although Mrs Brown said that he 'did not really give a reason as to why' he chose to donate so much money to the hospice, she said: "He had lost three of his mother's family to cancer. They helped me when I lost Kevin his uncle, originally there were eight (siblings) and they were very close."

Mr Moon was close with his family and Kath said that when his mum was alive she would host get-togethers that he would always go down to join in with. 

Mrs Brown said Mr Moon was 'a kind sort of a guy' and that he always helped people out when they asked.

"He never married, he asked me if I would be the executor. I said I would be dead before you! When he did pass away it was suddenly," she said.

When asked if she was surprised by the sum of the donation, she said: "The amount of money did not. He was very careful with his money. He worked at Vickers for a number of years. He paid off his mortgage and then he went to work in Tesco.

"He went back in the shipyard for a short period. He did charity work, he volunteered at the food bank until his back gave him problems. He was a big motorbike fan - he had sold it prior to his death because of his back problems. 

"Loads of bikers followed his hearse down Abbey Road, his motorbike friends to him were part of his family."

When Mel Dixon, from St Mary's Hospice, met Mrs Brown, she said: "It was my pleasure to meet with Kath this evening, these monies will go directly to providing care and support for local people and their families, at a time when they need us most."

Mrs Brown added: "He knew of the tremendous work they did. He would be very happy that they have got that."