Bridget’s Uncle “Chips” leaves a gift in his will to Essex & Herts Air Ambulance

George Allen, affectionately known to his friends and family as “Chips,” left Essex & Herts Air Ambulance a £20,000 gift in his Will – a portion of the proceeds from his classic car collection sold at auction following his death at the age of 93. 

Chips originally wanted to see his cars go to a museum, but his family’s meticulous search for an antique car museum was immensely challenging, with many forced to close their doors due to COVID-19 restrictions. It was decided his collection, which included four Model Ts, two Minis and two Mini Countryman would be sold at auction, with the proceeds to be gifted to various local charities.

Having worked as a labourer at RAF Ridgewell during the Second World War, Chips relocated to work for his father’s scrap metal business, based behind his Chapel Hill home after the war. He discovered his passion for classic cars, particularly Model Ts, built by the Ford Motor Company from 1908 until 1927. His niece Bridget recalls many conversations with her uncle about his classic cars and “can’t remember a time when his beloved Model Ts were not around.”

“Anyone who knows Uncle Chips will remember him as a collector of absolutely everything. He started with the cars many years ago and grew the collection, keeping them in pristine condition.”

The money raised from selling his collection of classic and personal vehicles saw £58,000 shared between various charities he held close to his heart, including EHAAT, Danaher Animal Home, Cancer Research, the British Heart Foundation, St Helena Hospice, Macmillan Nurses and the Salvation Army.

Bridget said: “He was a great supporter of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance and played the Flight For Life lottery. He always spoke highly of the charity’s amazing work, especially when he saw the helicopter taking to the skies above Halstead.” 

Reflecting on Chips’ generous donation, Carmel Hudson, Legacy Manager at Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, said: “Chips’ gift will make a lasting difference to the charity, helping our critical care team continue to be there for those who need us most. Their life-saving support equipment and expertise provide advanced clinical care that is normally only found in emergency departments, so Chips’ donation is so much more than a wonderful gift. It will never be forgotten because it could help save a life.”

Although he was 93 when he passed away, Bridget said he was “100 per cent on the ball and kept up to speed with everything happening in the world,” but he will also be remembered for his unique and quirky personality.

“Throughout the years, he would make a lot of furniture, and even though he had a series of workshops, it wasn’t a surprise to see him making a fence in his house. 

Even his cat would have green stripes from when he painted his gate!”

As per the wishes set out in his Will, Chips also left Bridget and the family a drawing of his ideal headstone, which will take on the shape of a Model T front radiator.

Bridget said: “That was him in a nutshell. He was unique in every sense and lived his life on his own terms. I remember him speaking to me two or three days before he died. He said: ‘If I had to live my life over again, I wouldn’t change anything.’ I knew he meant it; he lived a full life.” Give the gift of a lifetime and help save lives by leaving a gift in your will. In 2022 we received over £2.3m from these gifts, which enabled us to continue supporting our local community. Email our Legacy team here to find out more about gifts in wills.