The popular disc jockey and media personality Sir Jimmy Savile OBE passed away last month, aged 84, at his home in Yorkshire. Sir Jimmy is best known for presenting his BBC television show Jim'll Fix It, where he made dreams come true for many children up and down the country. Click the title to read more
He is also known for his charity fundraising. Sir Jimmy, who was knighted in 1990 for his services to charity, worked tirelessly for decades to raise funds for various causes. Friends and family said he had a passion for helping people, not just raising money but also visiting hospitals to talk to patients and staff. Sir Jimmy would go to one of the hospitals he fundraised for at night and work as a porter. Radio presenter Paul Burnett said: "I think he loved the people that he worked with. It wasn't just for the publicity, but he knew the charities were doing well out of it. He was capable of acts of great kindness."
From humble beginnings, Sir Jimmy went on to make a very significant
impact on the lives of the people he supported. It has been reported
that Sir Jimmy's accountant lost track of the extent of his fundraising
achievements after £40 million.
Sir Jimmy was born in Leeds on Halloween in 1926, the seventh child of Vincent and Agnes, whom he always called The Duchess. As a teenager Jimmy worked as a miner, narrowly escaping death when an underground explosion brought down the coal face. The explosion caused such extensive damage to his spine that young Jimmy was told that he would never walk again. However, just three years later, he proved the doctors wrong and was back on his feet, walking unaided. In fact, he went on to become a competitive athlete, taking part in over 300 professional bike races, 107 professional wrestling matches and 212 marathons, many in aide of charity. Much of the money that he would go on to raise was for patients with spinal injuries.
Sir Jimmy's giving spirit continues with his legacy. Reports as we went to press announced that Sir Jimmy has left his entire fortune to charity. Terry Crossley, publisher of Charity News Scotland, said: "It would not surprise me if Jimmy has left his millions to charity. He was a passionate fundraiser. We first met in the 70s at the Edinburgh Evening News Walk. Jimmy was a great supporter of the event and took part every year for 11 years though the 70s and 80s."
Like Sir Jimmy, Terry is more comfortable in a tracksuit than a suit, though his 'trackies' are rather less flamboyant than that of the late DJ. Terry is founder and organiser of the Edinburgh Evening News Walk, which ran from 1968 to 1996. It was renamed The Great Scottish Walk in 1998 and is now Walk for Scotland. The event still attracts a massive support from charities and their fundraisers. Terry is also responsible for launching Challenge Scotland, a range of fundraising events suited to all ages and abilities.
Claire McIntosh
These are just some of the charities we help and support...
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Recently, Edinburgh based digital solutions company CIVIC, came on board to help out with developing the Challenge Scotland brand and in particular this website. Visit CIVIC's website for more information on who they are and what they could do for you.
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