The ManxSPCA and RNLI have received a cheque for £50,000 each thanks to a legacy from the late Betty Small.

Mrs Small, from Braddan, chose the charities because they were ’very close to her heart’.

She made the request to the RNLI to celebrate the island being the home of the charity, founded in 1824 by a Douglas resident, and to remember her husband.

Guy Varley, the executor of the estate and former neighbour to Mrs Small, said: ’Betty’s husband was in the Royal Navy in World War Two and after the war.

’It’s her money, that’s what she wanted, she put it where she wanted it to go.

’We set out everything word-for-word according to her wishes.’

The choice to leave money to the MSPCA, the island’s only all-animal rescue charity, came from Mrs Small’s love of animals.

He added: ’She always had cats and dogs, she fed birds, and anytime we were heading down Foxdale she’d want to pop in the cafe and see what they were doing.

’It was just a little thing that she did.’

He described Mrs Small, who died at 98 years old last August, as ’really giving’.

Mr Varley continued: ’She was a really, really charitable lady.

’If it was a Manx charity, she would give to it.’

Liam Rice, fundraising coordinator for the MSPCA, said: ’It’s wonderful that she has made provision for the care of so many more companion animals in her will.’

Mr Varley, gave a cheque to Mr Rice, who helps out in the charity’s cattery with Mr Varley’s wife, Joan.

The couple were accompanied by their grandchildren and another close friend, Mary Joyce.

The RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea, will split their donation between the five lifeboat stations in the island and ensure volunteer crews can keep saving lives at sea.

Mrs Small’s family visited Douglas RNLI lifeboat station to give the cheque to be shared between Peel, Ramsey, Port St Mary, Port Erin and Douglas.

Douglas RNLI mechanic, Tony Radcliffe, who received the donation, said: ’As a charity which relies on voluntary contributions and legacies for income, we are immensely grateful to the late Mrs Small for this most generous gift.

’It was a pleasure to meet her family and to accept this donation on behalf of the five RNLI lifeboat stations on the island.’