VOLUNTARY groups and abandoned animals have benefited from a North Staffordshire man's �120,000 legacy.
Derek Roper left it to his friend Ann Brammer to decide where the money left in his will went.
And she has now distributed the cash between a range of local and national charities.
Derek, aged 84, from Churston Close, in Westbury Park, passed away in May last year after contracting tuberculosis following a battle with bladder cancer.
Now the money from his estate has been donated to the Douglas Macmillan Hospice, the Air Ambulance, The Donkey Sanctuary, Fenton-based Spiritualist Church, Iris' Cats In Need, Animal Lifeline, Red Street Football Club and Starlight.
And on Saturday, the latest beneficiaries were members of Audley Scout Group who were presented with a cheque for �60,000 to overhaul their hut.
Derek's friend Ann Brammer, aged 67, of Cross Heath, was on hand to deliver the news.
The grandmother-of-four said: "I knew Derek for about seven years and we were good friends.
"He wanted his money to help people and, as well as leaving a list of places where he wanted the money to go, he also wanted to help other local causes." It was Ann's son-in-law Stephen Hough who alerted her to the plight of Audley Scouts Group.
The 52-year-old from Coopers Green, near Audley, said: "My son Christopher and daughter Emily used to come to the scout hall and I knew the hall needed some work doing on it. Hopefully this will help."
There was great excitement in the hall as the sum was announced and now scout leaders are planning an overhaul of the outdated hut in Wereton Road. Beaver and Cub leader Deana Welsh, aged 50, from Audley, said: "The whole kitchen area needs knocking down and rebuilding and we should still have some money left to buy new equipment.
"We can make some plans to improve things."
The group currently plays host to around 50 youngsters with a waiting list packed with children looking to join.
Scout support volunteer Betty Kinnersley, aged 69, from Audley, said: "It's such brilliant news and we never expected to be given such an amount."
Ann has also been able to donate cash to more local causes with Red Street FC picking up �30,000 and Iris' Cats In Need and Animal Lifeline each receiving �15,700.
An additional �3,000 was given to Starlight to fund new medical equipment for child patients at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.
Ann added: "Derek left it up to me to decide on the local causes and it has been so nice to give the money to them.
"He loved children and animals so I am sure he would have approved.
"I hope this will help keep his memory alive."
Derek, who never had any children, was a former detective sergeant with Scotland Yard and Staffordshire Police and also served as a Coldstream Guard.
He also worked as a mentor at a variety of schools in Stafford.
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