Accountant's widow donates £5m to Art Fund
An accountant's widow has bequeathed her fortune to her favourite charity, the National Art Collections Fund, with a wish that her money be used to 'save art' after her death.
Brenda Knapp, a daughter and the wife of chartered accountants, donated £5m to the UK’s leading art charity believing that it would be most effective in the hands of a single charity. The couple did not have any children.
The gift is the largest in the fund’s history and will be used to help buy works of art of all kinds for public display.
Sir Nicolas Goodison, chairman of the Art Fund, said: ‘Brenda Knapp’s extraordinary bequest means that her love of art will live on. This exceptional gift will help generations of museum and gallery visitors benefit from her enthusiasm.’
The Art Fund, as it is most commonly known, is crucial to museums and galleries in securing important works of art. Last year the Fund gave £4.2m to museums and galleries across the country for the purchase of works of art.
Mrs Knapp’s estate is being handled by chartered accountants Menzies and Carter Bells solicitors.