Born in 1932, Betty Messenger went into her father's timber and chair-making business before branching out into farming and the commercial property market. Over time she built up her own property portfolio and this formed the core of funds at the disposal of the Foundation.

 

These, however, are only the bare bones of Betty's colourful life. She played hockey to national level, raised Welsh Cob horses, rode with the Vale of Aylesbury Hunt, loved fast cars and enjoyed good food and wine. She was a discerning collector of antique furniture, as well as silver spoons. In addition, she practiced medieval calligraphy and wood engraving, loved dogs in general and German Shepherds in particular with which she won many trophies.

 

Betty never married or moved from the village she was born in, Stokenchurch in Buckinghamshire. Throughout her life she supported the local community there, helping in particular those she considered to have drive and ability but lacked the opportunity to fulfil their dreams. This was consistent with her desire to help those who "fell through the cracks", as she put it, an aim that now underpins the work of the Foundation.

 

Betty was very affected by the deaths of a number of people who were close to her. Her brother Maurice, a rear gunner, who was shot down and killed, together with his colleagues, in 1944.

 

Two of her friends died more recently from Motor Neurone Disease and Ovarian Cancer. It was this that prompted the Foundation to assist medical research into these conditions.  

 

Betty died on 9th November 2012.