Ipswich school teacher's £2million legacy saving lives

Hundreds of people who went to school in Ipswich will remember Clive Brooks, for he was a woodwork teacher in the town for many years. 

Mr Brooks trained as a teacher at Uxbridge College, and began his career at Tower Ramparts School. After the school closed in 1979, he then moved to the then-newly built Stoke High, where he became the school’s deputy head. 

Mr Brooks was, said his goddaughter and cousin, Louise Liddell, a gentleman known for his caring nature. 

Clive Brooks taught in schools in Ipswich for many years. Image: Louise Liddell (Image: Louise Liddell)

“He was so kind,” she said. “He was also very practical, and knowledgeable about all kinds of subjects.”

Indeed, after her godfather died, she donated his collection of tools to the charity ‘Tools with a Mission’ and likes to think of them being put to good use by people in Africa.  

Mr Brooks died on March 3, 2015, aged 86. His wife, Nina, had predeceased him by several years, and the couple had no children of their own.

Mrs Brooks was the daughter of World War I hero Arthur Frederick Saunders, who was awarded the Victoria Cross and was nursed by Princess Nina Georgievna of Russia, after whom Nina Brooks is named. 

While she was making arrangements for his estate, Mrs Liddell discovered that her godfather had decided to leave the bulk of his money to charity.  

He had left an incredible £500,000 each to four charities close to his heart: Cancer Research UK, the Salvation Army, the British Heart Foundation and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.  

The Duke of Kent opening the new lifeboat tower. Image: RNLI (Image: RNLI)

HRH The Duke of Kent onboard Chiswick lifeboat on the River Thames. Image: RNLI (Image: RNLI)

A chaplain blessing the new lifeboat tower. Image: RNLI (Image: RNLI)

This extraordinary generosity has benefitted people all over the country. Most recently, a new Tower Lifeboat Station was opened on the River Thames in London, with a grand opening ceremony attended by the Duke of Kent.  

Mrs Liddell and her husband were invited to the ceremony and were delighted and proud to see a plaque bearing Mr Brooks’ name on display.  

Ali O’Neill, legacy engagement manager at the RNLI, said: “It was an honour to meet Louise and her husband at the opening ceremony for Tower lifeboat station and to thank them in person for Mr Brook’s generous donation. 

“The gift in his will has gone towards the fantastic new facility for our crew at Tower – which is our busiest lifeboat station and has just reached its 10,000th shout. 

“There is no doubt it has already made a real difference to our crew and allowed them to continue their 24/7 lifesaving service on the Thames.”