Farmer who lost wife to cancer leaves clinic £1m

CANCER services received a cash boost after a kind-hearted widower left his local hospital £1million in his will.

Douglas de Bootman’s generous bequest will help pay for a cutting-edge cancer care centre at Cromer Hospital.

Niece Karen Ballard said Mr de Bootman – a retired farmer whose wife Janet died of cancer – had liked helping others.

He told her about the bequest a week before his death.

Ms Ballard, from King’s Lynn, Norfolk, said “He was very active in his retirement up until three or four weeks before he died.

“He had quite a lot of land and used to get up early in the morning to take care of the grounds, cutting the grass, pruning the trees and chopping wood.

Generous

“He was very skilled at carpentry, welding and agricultural engineering.

“He loved being outside with his Labrador and in his retirement took up painting – he had a natural skill for it.

“He was such a quiet, sensitive gentleman. My uncle liked a quiet life. He had a few elderly neighbours whom he liked to help and vice versa.

“We are happy the money is going to the new cancer unit at Cromer Hospital as cancer affects so many people in many ways.”

Mr de Bootman’s family has now presented a cheque for £1,078,519 to Norfolk and

Norwich University

NHS Foundation Trust.

The trust is working with Macmillan Cancer Support to create the £4.15million cancer care and support centre which will increase chemotherapy and treatment space at the hospital.

Mr de Bootman spent his life farming at Pentney, near

Hospitals ‘Quiet, sensitive’ Douglas de Bootman left £1million to Cromer Hospital, right. Above, new cancer clinic design

Swaffham, before retiring and buying Church Farm in Thursford with his wife, Janet, who died of cancer in 2010.

The 88-year-old died in March 2018 following a short illness.

Louise Cook, head of fundraising for the N&N Hospitals Charity, said: “We are overwhelmed by this incredibly generous

donation, which will make a significant difference to thousands of patients in North Norfolk.

“Mr de Bootman’s legacy will be felt by patients, staff and visitors for many years to come.”

Cromer Hospital opened its doors in March 2012, replacing the old 1930s hospital.