A lasting legacy

Leaving a gift in your will supports our UEA community year after year.

Neil Pettifer (EUR75) chose to support UEA through one of the most meaningful forms of philanthropy: a gift in his will. He remained connected to UEA long after his student days, and in 2019 he left a legacy gift to UEA’s Pioneer Fund.

Neil was part of the UEA community in the 1970s where he was drawn to a European Studies degree, a subject that gave him the freedom to explore across disciplines, combining literature with art history and social history. Those who taught him remembered him as diligent and thoughtful, and he immersed himself in campus life. For Neil, UEA was not simply a place to study. It was a place to belong, to take part, and to grow.

That sense of growth stayed with him. Part of Neil’s student experience was shaped by time abroad, including a year in Strasbourg that he later described as one of the best years of his life. In his own words, Neil shared a simple motivation for his legacy gift: he wanted to leave something “memorable”, and to give others “a chance to grow”, just like he had experienced during his time at UEA. It is a generous sentiment, and one that echoes the role education can play in opening doors.

Neil was also a dedicated member of UEA’s global alumni community. He lived and worked in Spain for many years, where he ran his own property business, and he helped organise regular UEA reunions. His legacy reflects that same commitment to staying connected, and to supporting the University he valued so dearly.

Rather than supporting one specific project, Neil’s gift was made to the Pioneer Fund, UEA’s endowment. Endowments are designed to have long-term impact. Gifts are invested, and the returns help support the University year after year, giving UEA the flexibility to respond where the need is greatest. Supporters can also choose, if they wish, to direct their giving to particular areas of interest, such as scholarships or research.

A legacy can be any size, and it can be shaped around what feels right for you and your family. There can also be financial benefits. Gifts to charity in a will may reduce the inheritance tax due on your estate, depending on your circumstances.

“I want this legacy to be able to give people a memorable experience and a chance to grow.”

The late Neil Pettifer (EUR75), in his letter of wishes.