The Dawn Brown Fund
Dawn Brown was an inspirational adult learning tutor, passionate about creative craft and community learning. Dawn shared her passion for crafts and used it as a tool to help people build confidence, create a sense of achievement and find fun and friendship. Sadly, Dawn lost her battle with cancer on the 3rd of April 2017.
Dawn’s wish was that there should be a legacy of her passion: a fund that would help learners who needed financial support to buy the resources they needed for their chosen craft. She felt that this would help more people with low incomes, achieve confidence, success, support and friendship among people who shared the bond of creativity. So, if someone who was out of work or perhaps had had long term illness (as she had some years before) wanted to develop their creative skills but couldn’t afford a course or materials; this fund would help.
This fund will make grants and in doing, celebrate and honour Dawn in the best way possible, by giving opportunities for more people to be a part of the Bensham Grove Community Centre, to enjoy the opportunity to learn and explore arts and crafts, realise their artistic potential, make friends and feel part of their community.
Wishes for the future
Dawn’s wish was that there be a legacy of her passion: a fund that would help learners who needed financial support to buy the resources they needed for their chosen craft. She felt that this would help more people with low incomes, achieve confidence, success, support and friendship, among people who shared the bond of creativity, so, if someone who was out of work or perhaps had had long term illness (as she had some years before) wanted to develop their creative skills but couldn’t afford a course or materials, then this fund would help. The Dawn Brown Fund now exists in Perpetuity and will work in partnership with Bensham Grove Community Centre and support eligible Gateshead residents to purchase materials and equipment to help them to achieve their learning aim.
Look to the Moon
Dawn is greatly missed by her family, friends and colleagues, who continue to fundraise in her memory . Dawn was a really kind soul who had time and help for everyone, we hope she inspires your giving. There is now a Dawn Brown Fund bank account and donations can be made to that directly email chrisotoole@benshamgrove.org.uk for more information. We are also keen to have additional help with fundraising if anyone has time and energy! So far you have been amazing and Dawn would be delighted!
This beautiful portrait was painted by tutor and fellow friend Steve Lyon-Bowes, and donated to Bensham Grove, so all her friends and colleagues could remember her.
Some of the various crafts Dawn taught at Bensham Grove
