Plaque honours Doncaster couple whose legacy helps thousands of people

Fred Green bequeathed £11.5 million to the Montagu Hospital legacy fund when he died in 1998. His wife, Ann, had died some years previously after the sale of their local butchers business. The couple tragically lost their only son, Alan in a road accident.

The Fred and Ann Green Legacy Fund, set up in memory of Alan, has been used to run vital transport services between the Trust’s three hospital sites, meaning patients can get to appointments easily a,nd those without personal transport can make important hospital visits.

Their legacy also funded the new eye department at Doncaster Royal Infirmary and the state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre at Montagu Hospital.

The plaque was unveiled at the site of Fred and Ann’s family butchers, Greens of Mexborough, last month.

Suzy Brain England, chair of the board at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “We are delighted to have unveiled this fitting tribute to Fred and Ann.

“Their legacy has enabled the Trust to provide many services and facilities that would not have been possible without it. Their generosity and long, fruitful relationship with the Trust is still proving beneficial to the people of Doncaster and Bassetlaw even now, over 20 years later.”

Fred and Ann’s long, supportive relationship with Montagu Hospital was sparked when the accidental delivery of a pork pie was met with a warm welcome.

Trust Archivist, Garry Swann explained: “Fred had a regular Christmas-time order from a local public house, the Montagu Arms, for a giant pork pie to be cut and handed out as a treat to customers. The pie was made as usual but Fred, unable to deliver it himself, left a note on the pie “Deliver to Montagu.”

“The deliverer misunderstood the instruction and, to her delight and amazement, handed the pie over to Montagu Hospital’s Matron. Her message of thanks to Fred for his generous Christmas gift for her patients was so effusive that Fred hadn’t the heart to tell her of the error – and for years thereafter Montagu Hospital was the recipient of a splendid Christmas pork pie!”

In addition to this commemorative plaque, Montagu Hospital’s Fred and Ann Green Memorial Garden was opened in 2001 to honour to the generosity and work of Fred and Ann.