Solicitor thanks trust that helped him on his way.

A SOLICITOR has paid tribute to a North Devon trust fund that played a big part in helping him on his way to law school.

Andrew Burke, 39, who now works at Slee Blackwell, was reminded of those early days after reading in the Journal that Vivian Moon was stepping down as chairman of the foundation he created.

Mr Burke was one of the first to benefit from the foundation, that was launched in 1988 with a substantial personal donation from Mr Moon.
He wanted to put “something back” into the area by way of grants to help people further their job skills and education.

At the time Mr Burke was a labourer on a building site.

He explained: “In order to cheer my dad up I decided to become a lawyer.”
He recalled that the financial implications of going to law school were daunting.

Other than the generosity of his parents, the Vivian Moon Foundation was the only place he could turn to for help.

He applied and was awarded £400, something he has never forgotten.

He added: “My mum and dad were ordinary people and it was very difficult, so to have something like the Vivian Moon Foundation which could make a very generous donation was incredibly helpful.”
In a letter to Mr Moon he said: “The foundation’s support was fantastic and helped me to get the qualification I needed to return to the area, where I have practised as a solicitor with Slee Blackwell.

“I hope over the years that I’ve been able to help local people and put something back into the community.

“If I have, it is in no small part due to your generosity and the foundation’s hard work.”

To mark Mr Moon’s decision to step down as chairman and become president, Mr Burke has sent a letter and reimbursed the foundation for the amount he once received.

By doing so he hopes that someone else will have the chance to benefit from the support he enjoyed.

Mr Moon said the letter was “one of the best” he had ever received and it had brought a tear to his eyes.

The foundation has helped 1,106 people over the years but it is rare to get feedback from them.

Mr Moon said the new chairman, Aubrey Loze and the other governors were “absolutely thrilled” with Mr Burke’s letter and gesture.

And he added: “I agree with Mr Loze that it makes everything worthwhile.”