YMCA Plymouth’s longest-serving member, Anthony ‘Bruno’ Brown sadly passed in 2021 aged 94 but he left a legacy that will last for generations to come.
Bruno joined YMCA Plymouth as a teenager in 1942, during the second world war and has supported the charity ever since. Reminiscing on his early experiences at YMCA, Bruno said: “It was a good place to meet up with friends and have a good time, we used to play billiards, have dances and play all kinds of games, which helped us take our minds off the war.”
Bruno then worked for YMCA Plymouth many years after the war, setting up several sports clubs and youth activities. Some of his work at YMCA included setting up YMCA’s athletics club in the 1950s and leading our youth residential trips on Dartmoor – something that still continues today through our Discovery College. Bruno continued to maintain his connection to YMCA and take an active interest in our work long after he hung up his hat as a staff member and volunteer.
In 2018, Bruno visited our Discovery College to speak to our young people, keen to impart his wisdom to those the same age as him when he first joined in 1942.
At this time Bruno also gave a £5,000 donation towards the creation of two new classrooms in our college, enabling us to begin delivering vocational Health & Social Care courses for ages 16-19.
Passionate about leaving a legacy to the next generation, Bruno made the decision to leave a legacy donation to YMCA Plymouth after he was gone. Having noticed the 1970s building was in need of refurbishment, Bruno decided that he would like his estate to contribute towards works which will help young people and families stay fit and active.
After Bruno sadly passed away, his legacy donation contributed to YMCA Plymouth’s wider refurbishment works which were largely funded by the People’s Post Code Lottery and social investors Resonance. The addition of his legacy made possible the addition of our Ocean City Soft Play area – one of Plymouth’s most affordable soft play areas for kids and families.
He was a true gentleman and an exemplar of our community values at YMCA. He will be fondly remembered by all those who were lucky enough to know him and his legacy and impact will be felt by thousands of people in our community for many years to come.
If you are interested in leaving a legacy contribution to YMCA Plymouth please contact our Fundraising Lead, Sarah Newberry on 01752 761000 or email sarah.newberry@ymcaplymouth.org.uk.
To make a contribution to our work today, get involved in our Provide to Plymouth campaign.
