He got a $125k inheritance from his late mother, then decided to give it all to his neighbors
We often witness people fighting over their family fortune and inheritance that gets divided between the siblings. While people might refuse to give away a small chunk of that fortune to others for a good cause, one man changed the narrative and did something worthy of praise and admiration. A researcher in Liverpool named David Clarke grabbed the attention of world media with his act of generosity, according to The Guardian. Clarke had inherited a whopping fortune of £100,000 ($1,24,863) from his mother who passed away almost a decade ago. He had lost his mother in a cycling accident and it was a devastating shock to him.
“She had a huge social conscience and was interested in the world and how it worked. A lot of my moral framework comes from her. I don’t believe in holding on to inherited wealth, so I spent a long time thinking about what to do with the money," he told the news outlet. While doing his research, Clarke came across the idea of democratizing philanthropy where he was able to hand over the fate of his inheritance to the community who could benefit from it. He ended up writing to 600 addresses in the L8 postcode of his locality and invited people to nominate where the money could be invested. 38 people responded to Clarke's letter and he picked 12 people to form a panel who would take the crucial decision.
Clarke and the panel sat through four sessions of discussion to decide that the money would be donated to 4 charities and each would receive £25,000 ($31,215). Team Oasis, a children's charity based in one of Liverpool's most impoverished areas, became one of the beneficiaries. Team Oasis is known for providing support to about 400 children and young people who live in poverty, are considered physically disabled or have special needs. “It has been such a debilitating time for charities, with so many being forced to close,” the charity's founder and manager Paul Nilson told the outlet about receiving the donation from Clarke and how it had been a blessing for them.
Clarke's inheritance also provided funds for Talacre Beach Resort in North Wales that allowed poverty-stricken families to enjoy tension-free holidays. “I could never get to places like that on my own with my kids,” a mom of 3, Gemma O'Brien said, per the news outlet. O'Brien's eldest son is severely autistic with a brain injury and these funded trips have become life-changing experiences for her family. The Liverpool Kids Plant to Plate program also benefited from Clarke's donation. The program aimed to teach children to grow, prepare and cook their own food. As for Clarke, he expressed how he was proud of what his mother's legacy created and how it benefitted countless people.
“It’s not just about funding. It’s about recognizing the incredible work these organizations are doing and amplifying it. Hearing about the children playing on new equipment, families enjoying fresh meals or learning about sustainability, it’s a very rewarding feeling. This project wasn’t just about £100,000. It was about showing what’s possible when we trust communities to make decisions. The results speak for themselves," Clarke told The Guardian. O'Brien also shared a message for Clarke. “To the guy who’s donated the money, the impact it’s had is out of this world. You’ve brought that special community feeling back to us and I don’t think many places have that feeling," O'Brien concluded.