Inspiring the innovators of the future

Community Spirit: Essex Community Foundation

Today, Dr Geoffrey Sneed’s influence continues to make its mark, inspiring the innovators of the future.

Before he died in 2022, Geoffrey established a fund with the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF), to support and inspire sixth form students to use their knowledge of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) subjects to make a difference.

The making of a scientist

Geoffrey lived in Ilford, in the house his parents had bought and where he grew up. After graduating from Imperial College, London, he continued his studies with a PhD. He went on to teach physics, maths, chemistry, and applied sciences at Ealing High School for 15 years, and pioneered the teaching of the latter at sixth form level by helping to create the first purpose-built laboratory – and its unique experimental equipment – to be installed in a state grammar school.

He formed the Molecule Club, through which many schoolchildren were taken to the Mermaid Theatre in London to see a musical show covering scientific principles. The show also travelled in a caravan to schools in the Midlands.

Geoffrey was also a research director at the University of Surrey and held appointments at the Science Museum and Imperial College.

In 1979, he was awarded a Churchill Fellowship by The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and, with this, he travelled all over the world studying the teaching of science.

Throughout these years, cars held a special place in Geoffrey’s heart, and he was associated with the motor industry all his life, using his knowledge of science and engineering to write many books on motoring, its history, and inventions.

His ‘pride and joy’ was a red 1969 Morris Oxford, which he drove off the assembly line and meticulously maintained throughout his life.

Leaving a legacy

Geoffrey had no family to leave his estate to when he died. Given his significant contribution to learning and education, it is no surprise that when his solicitor proposed the idea of setting up a charitable fund with ECF in his name to support the teaching of STEM subjects in schools, Geoffrey agreed without hesitation.

Fiona Ashworth from Thompson, Smith and Puxon in Colchester was Geoffrey’s solicitor for many years. She said: “Geoffrey had no family to leave his estate to and as he had spent his lifetime educating young people and encouraging them to use their knowledge to make a difference, it seemed wholly appropriate to suggest that he set up a charitable fund with ECF to support young people in the subjects that he was so passionate about.

“When talking to my clients about their estate planning, we discuss any charitable interests they may have. If it is appropriate, I am always pleased to suggest including ECF as a beneficiary. In my view, they are best placed to continue the wishes of my clients after they have died. This provides a lot of comfort for my clients, knowing they will continue to help others after their death.”

ECF explained

Giving is at the heart of Essex Community Foundation’s work and every year it distributes around £3.5 million in grants to local charities and voluntary groups. The funding makes a huge difference to the health and happiness of people in Essex, providing vital support to a wide range of local organisations working at the grassroots of our communities.

Currently, ECF manages around 197 charitable funds on behalf of generous individuals, families, businesses, and public agencies.

The people and organisations who have established funds with ECF have all had the satisfaction of knowing that their charitable wishes will be carried out, with every safeguard in place to ensure that their money will be given wisely and used effectively.

Some funds are established as a way of leaving a legacy and, if appropriate, can be set up within someone’s lifetime rather than after they have died. Professional advisers, including solicitors, can work with their clients to advise them on how giving through ECF could be tax efficient, and how their gift will support causes close to their heart, in perpetuity.

Did you know…

• It is estimated that of the 75% of the people who give to charity in their lifetime, only 7% leave a gift to charity in their will.
• By leaving 10% of your estate in your will to charity, you will benefit from a reduction in Inheritance Tax from 40% to 36%.

Photo shows Geoffrey receiving his Churchill Medal from the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher at 10 Downing Street in 1979