Gill Wootton MInstF, 1948-2016

We are sorry to announce the death of one of our founders and former directors, Gill Wootton.

Gill, who died on November 10th 2016, was a life-long fundraiser, with a passion for good causes, who first made her mark initially in community fundraising and later in consulting, becoming a trustee of the IoF and later chairing the Institute’s Midlands region.

Originally from Sutton Coldfield, Gill lived much of her life in Staffordshire and entered fundraising in 1984. She worked for several well known causes, including the Muscular Dystrophy campaign, before joining Simon George in 1998 in setting up Wootton George Consulting, where she specialised in difficult causes. She particularly relished helped to turn around struggling organisations and helped to rescue several charities. Gill gained a reputation as someone who got things done. Her sometimes tough demeanour hid a softer side and those who knew her appreciated her great sense of humour.

In her private life, Gill and her husband Michael faced two tragedies in losing their daughter Charlotte aged 8 and then in 2007, their soldier son Tom aged 28. Typically for Gill, she threw herself into making something positive out of this second blow, raising funds for the Soldier’s Charity as her way of grieving. Sadly, however, her health suffered further, first with cancer and then a stroke. She retired in 2010. Gill is survived by her husband Michael and daughter Rebecca. She will be fondly remembered and missed by her many friends in the Midlands fundraising community.

The funeral will be held at 12.30 on November 22nd at Church Eaton village church in Staffordshire.