Our Stories - Margaret Pringle
What do you get a great-granny for her 80 th birthday? Answer: Nothing!
Margaret Pringle was due to celebrate her milestone, surrounded by dozens of well-wishers, her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren.
But she made it clear that she already owned everything she wanted and, instead, asked party-goers to bring a cheque made out to….The Teddy Bear Foundation.
As a result of the old lady’s generosity, the charity became the proud recipient of £340 which will be used to support children’s projects across Scotland.
Explained Margaret, of Sanquhar in Dumfriesshire:”When you get to my age, you find you have all the ornaments you want.
“I decided to give something to a children’s charity. My daughter, Marion, did some research on the Internet and found a number of big charities.
“I decided they would get a lot of money anyway, so I chose the Teddy Bear Foundation.”
Margaret, who was born in the village of Wanlockhead in 1930, looked after the home of three doctors as a home help in her working life. The widow has lived in sheltered housing in Sanquhar for the past 20 years.
She said she always had a soft spot for kids. She has five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Daughter, Dianne Jamieson, said the gesture was just typical of her mother.
Said Dianne:”We put in the party invite that people shouldn’t bring gifts, but a cheque for the Teddy Bear Foundation.
“She received 134 cards, many of them with something for the charity.
“Mum is always thinking about other people; that’s why she gets so much back.
“The great thing was, people gave her gifts as well as the cheque!”
A spokesman for the Teddy Bear Foundation said:”This was a lovely gesture by Margaret. It will be used for the benefit of some of the most needy children in the country.”
Margaret Pringle thought of others when she marked her 80th birthday.
