An AA patrolman, from Kirkcaldy in Fife, died last year and left £800,000 to 13 chosen charities, one of which was BEN, the Automotive Industry Charity.

David Dempsey died last year at the age of 74. He spent 40 years with the AA before retiring in 1996, and is reported to have made his fortune investing in the stock market. Mr Dempsey remained a bachelor and lived frugally - ignoring pleas from friends and family to "spend some of his cash on himself."

Mr Dempey's sister, Jean Rohr said, "He had a genuine concern for the underdog and the weak in society. He was a very caring person and had to be helping people all the time. Once he retired, he was always helping out his neighbours and friends."

Alfred Friday, Assistant Director of Fundraising at BEN, commented, "We are very grateful for this bequest, as thoughtful and generous gifts like this are invaluable to us in funding our work. Leaving something to BEN, large or small, is an enduring way to support us. Like Mr Dempsey, many of those who give legacies to BEN do so either because they know of the people we help from working for organisations such as the AA that have a strong relationship with BEN, or maybe because they have been personal supporters over the years. We urge all those in the same situation to think about us when they are considering making or reviewing their will."

Find out more about leaving a legacy to BEN.