Giving in memory

There are different websites that allow you to create a memorial page for your loved one and donate to a charity of your choice. The University of Birmingham is already registered with Just Giving, but do contact us on +44 121 414 7957 if you have another website in mind and want to find out whether the University could be your chosen charity. It only takes a few minutes to set up a memorial page on Just Giving and, once it's up and running, visitors from anywhere in the world can add photos and home videos, share fond memories, leave supportive messages and donate money online in memory of someone special. Your tribute page stays active forever, so friends and family can revisit and donate whenever they like – such as for a special anniversary or birthday.

You may simply wish to make a one-off gift in memory of your loved one, or to set up a new regular gift. You can make one-off gifts online, by cheque payable to 'The University of Birmingham', or you can contact the Development Office on +44 121 414 7957 to make a gift by credit/debit card or to establish a new monthly gift by Direct Debit. Cheques should be sent to: DARO, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT. It would be lovely to hear a little more about the person you are remembering and why you have chosen to support Birmingham in their memory, so please do include these details if you are happy to share them with us.

Birmingham is a family affair for Paul and Margot Cooper: Paul first came to the University on a scholarship, receiving his First Class Honours in Physics in 1951 and then stayed to complete a PhD in Nuclear Physics (graduating in 1954). He greatly enjoyed his time at Birmingham, and after a few years living in Reading he returned to the Midlands to lecture at Aston University where he stayed for over 30 years.

Following in her father’s footsteps, Margot also came to Birmingham to study Maths and Music, graduating in 1982. Margot first visited the gardens at Winterbourne while she was a student, and she and Paul were regular visitors during the last ten years. Now a Member of Winterbourne, Margot continues to enjoy visiting the house and garden regularly and has recently donated to dedicate a new tree in her father’s memory.

‘Dad and I appreciated the peace and tranquillity that we found at Winterbourne House and Garden. The tree will offer me great joy and solace in a place that I love and I am sure that Dad would feel very privileged to be remembered in this way, in such a beautiful place that he appreciated so much.’

Looking after the garden at Winterbourne is year-round effort, as Horticultural Supervisor Dan Cartwright knows: ‘Margot’s donation will help us develop areas of the garden that need a bit of love and care. One of these areas is our new Winter Garden, where Paul’s tree is planted. The stunning white bark of the Himalayan Birch can be appreciated all year, and provides a welcome focal point in the stark Winter months. Without donations like Margot’s we simply wouldn’t be able to bring these areas of the garden to their full potential as quickly as we would like.’

If you are interested in dedicating a tree in memory of a loved one, or in supporting Winterbourne more generally, please contact Winterbourne House and Garden on 0121 414 3003.

It is becoming more popular these days to ask funeral attendees to make a gift to charity in lieu of bringing flowers. If you would like to do this in aid of the University of Birmingham we can provide more information to help make this as easy as possible, so please do get in touch on +44 121 414 7957. You may choose to provide a collection basket at the back of room during the service, and let guests know that they are welcome to make a cash donation. The amount raised can be sent to the University by cheque (payable to 'The University of Birmingham') as a lump sum, but cannot be gift aided. Cheques should be sent to: DARO, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT. 

If you would prefer to provide information to your guests about how to make a donation directly to the University, we can send you a bundle of donation forms and pre-paid return envelopes. Please do not hesitate to get in touch for more information. It would be lovely to hear a little more about the person you are remembering and why you have chosen to support Birmingham in their memory, so please do include these details if you are happy to share them with us.