Sylvia was 79 when she died last June after her health deteriorated. Formerly known as Sylvia Gold, she worked at the hotel in Tynemouth until 1944 then got a job at Empire Theatre in Newcastle before moving to London soon after.

 

Her friends Tony and Anna Pike this week handed over the first instalment of £100,000 to the shelter.
The couple, from Tynemouth, knew Sylvia for many years and are also supporters of the shelter themselves.

 

Mr Pike said: "Sylvia had no family so greatly appreciated the help of friends and neighbours in her later years.

 

"Her interest in animals was very intense, and the horses out the back of her house were a great source of inspiration for her to get up every morning." (News Guardian)

 

The money will help towards building work on the shelter, which has costs of around £750,000 and has just completed the second phase.

 

A spokesperson from the Dog and Cat Shelter said: "The legacy from this estate is particularly poignant because it is being presented by supporters of the shelter, who were also a dear friends of the deceased.

 

"The shelter is extremely grateful. Legacies play an important role in the development of the shelter and have paid for numerous improvements.Without this support the charity would not be able to continue."

 

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