The Lady Elizabeth Hastings Charitable Trust Fund
Lady Elizabeth Hastings was born in 1682, the eldest surviving daughter of the 7th Earl of Huntingdon.
At the age of 23 she inherited a fortune from the estate of her grandfather, Sir John Lewis of Ledston Hall, Yorkshire. Lady Betty, as she became known, took up residence at Ledston and adopted a lifestyle of deep Christianity and enlightened philanthropy. A well known Society figure, she declined all offers of marriage.
She saw education as key to the future, built a boarding school for girls at Ledsham and founded schools at Aberford, Collingham, Thorp Arch, and Ledsham. She was also a major benefactor to religious and other charitable causes.
In 1738 Lady Betty contracted breast cancer, for which she underwent surgery, without the benefit of anaesthetics. Considering her future, on 14th December 1738 she set up a Trust Deed, providing for the establishment of the charities that would bear her name. For this to be effective, she had to live for at least a year from that date; she survived for a year and a week, leaving a legacy that has helped tens of thousands of people through four centuries.
The Lady Elizabeth Hastings' Trust supports our school each year by providing educational grants for items requested by us.
Some examples of aspects of school life that have been generously funded by The Lady Betty's Trust Fund:
- Funding for trips for those pupils in receipt of pupil premium grant
- Items to enhance the EYFS outdoor area
- Reading books and reading areas
- A new Phonics scheme called Little Wandle and books to support the scheme
- Training for staff to deliver ELSA - emotional literacy support
We are incredibly grateful for their support.
To find out more about the Lady Elizabeth Hastings Charities, please click the link below:
Lady Elizabeth Hastings Charitable Trust Fund
