Woman Gave $14 Million To Charity When She Died - Hiding Wealth From Family

When Sheila Woodcock passed away, her family had no idea that she had a AUD $14 million (£7.19m/US $9.26m) fortune sitting in the bank.

The 87-year-old from New South Wales (NSW), Australia, rarely spoke of her wealth but lived a comfortable and private life.

Then when Ms Woodcock - who never married or had children - died in May of 2018, her money was split between 15 charities of her choosing.

Facebook/Tim Crakanthorp MP

According to The Daily Mail, her second cousin Kent Woodcock said friends and family knew Ms Woodcock was well-off but they didn't know the extent of her multi-million estate until her passing.

On Wednesday, Ms Woodcock's chosen charities were invited to Broadmeadow's Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service facility where her generous donations were outlined.

Mr Woodcock told The Newcastle Herald: "The charities were gobsmacked but when they realise it's 14 other charities... it's awe-inspiring.

"I don't think anybody [in Newcastle] has ever done something like this and I don't think we'll ever see it again. It's not sadness at her passing, it's: 'Look what she's done, look what she's doing.'"

Facebook/Tim Crakanthorp MP

According to her second cousin, Ms Woodcock didn't have a regular career and kept tight-lipped about her earnings. Despite not having children or being married, she enjoyed close friendships, travelling, acting and chocolate (what a woman).

Tim Crakanthorp, the MP for Newcastle, wrote on Facebook: "Often people will leave some money to charity when they pass away, but Sheila Woodcock took that to a whole other level.

"Sheila lived in Bar Beach and passed in 2018, bequesting an amazing $14m to 15 community organisations, including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, the NSW Cancer Council and NSW Guide Dogs."

He shared a picture with a guide dog puppy which has been named Woody in Ms Woodcock's honour.

Facebook/Tim Crakanthorp MP

Over a 30 year period, it's believed that Ms Woodcock donated more than AUD $347,000 (£178k/USD $229k) to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.

Ms Woodcock's money was split between the following charities:

• $1.375m for Scots Kirk Presbyterian Church Hamilton to fund church redevelopment
• $1.375m for The Salvation Army
• $1.375m for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service
• $1.375m for Diabetes NSW and ACT to fund the Sheila Woodcock Development Scholarship
• $1.375m for the Garvan Institute of Medical Research
• $1.375m for Guide Dogs Australia
• $1.375m for the Royal Flying Doctor Service
• $1.375m for RSPCA NSW
• $450,000 for Vision Australia
• $450,000 for the Australian Red Cross
• $450,000 for Breast Cancer Trials
• $340,000 for the Cancer Council
• $340,000 for World Vision
• $340,000 for The Smith Family to fund the Learning for Life program, the ARTcastle program and the Sheila Woodcock Memorial Scholarship
• $340,000 for the Heart Foundation

Impressive stuff.

Topics: Community, Australia

Rebecca Shepherd

I'm Becky - a journalist at LADbible. I graduated with a First Class BA in Journalism before going on to cover criminal court cases, medical tribunals and breaking news for the national media - which inevitably and eventually became as glum as it sounds. Can often be found rocking a bag for life - which I made a 'thing' way before Rihanna. You can contact me at [email protected]

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