(Image: FAMILY PIC)
A former Darlington councillor who would “give you the shirt off his back” has left a final gift of £10,000 to the town’s hospice
Bob Carson, a former Labour councillor and volunteer of Friends of the Denes, sadly died in June 2025 after living a “lifetime of kindness”.
The 79-year-old’s family say he spent his life quietly helping others - and has continued that even after his death in the form of a £10,000 donation to St Teresa’s Hospice in Darlington.
Bob also kindly left gifts to other causes close to his heart, including Macmillan Cancer Support and Médecins Sans Frontières.
His stepdaughter Sally said that Bob “never wanted recognition for anything he did” but wanted to share his story in the hope it might inspire others to donate to the hospice.
Bob Carson, who left St Teresa's Hospice a £10,000 legacy donation (Image: FAMILY PIC)
“Even when he was diagnosed, he was very open about it and wanted to talk to people about prostate cancer - not because he was complaining or wanted attention for himself, but to raise awareness,” Sally said.
“It’s just brilliant what he’s done. We know the money he left is going to go so far and do so much good. Even after he’s gone, he’s still helping others.”
A highway engineer by profession, Bob met his future wife, Christine, in a fish and chip shop in Headingley, Leeds.
Bob Carson, who left St Teresa's Hospice a £10,000 legacy donation (Image: FAMILY PIC)
The couple married before moving to Tanzania for three years through Bob's work, later settling in Darlington, where he served as a councillor.
Sally said: “While in Tanzania, my mother became used to the way he would donate his own clothes to those in need – as well as hers!”
"He would quite literally give you the shirt off his back. That was just Bob.
“While he was out there, he also sponsored some young people through university, but typically, he didn’t draw attention to it.
“During political debates in council, he'd listen to everyone, gently encourage others to see the bigger picture, and somehow bring people together.”
Bob Carson, who left St Teresa's Hospice a £10,000 legacy donation (Image: FAMILY PIC)
Even in his final weeks, Bob was still looking for ways to make the world a little better.
From his hospital bed, he was talking about painting a fence he could see from the window, and making sure the birds were fed.
Councillor Steve Harker, leader of Darlington Borough Council, worked alongside Bob for years and said he was “very privileged” to have known him.
“He was exceptionally generous with his own time,” he said.
Bob Carson, who left St Teresa's Hospice a £10,000 legacy donation (Image: FAMILY PIC)
“A diligent and considerate fellow local councillor, he was also involved in many voluntary organisations and projects.
In particular, as a Friend of the Denes, he applied for numerous funding bids, enabling the group to carry many improvements within the Denes.
Bob will fund full day of hospice care
St Teresa’s, which looked after more than 1,200 people last year, has been providing end-of-life and palliative care for the last 40 years.
However, it continues to face "significant financial pressures” as both demand and costs rise, meaning it faces an “increasingly difficult” future without more support.
St Teresa's Hospice, Darlington (Image: The Northern Echo)
Hospices across the region continue to also feel the impact of the ongoing crisis.
Earlier this year, Teesside Hospice and Butterwick Hospice merged in a bid to protect their future amid "unending" financial woes.
St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham was even forced to lay off 21 members of staff last year in a “devastating” blow.
Laura Simmons, legacy officer at St Teresa’s, said Bob’s generous donation would fund around a day of hospice care.
She said: "A will is so often a reflection of the person who made it, and that's certainly true of Bob.
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“He spent his life helping other people, so it seems fitting that one of his final acts was leaving behind a legacy that will continue making a difference long after he was gone.
“We’re incredibly grateful that Bob remembered the hospice in this way. His £10,000 gift will fund around a day of hospice care.
“While that may not sound like long, when you consider everything we provide – from inpatient care and Hospice at Home, to wellbeing groups, counselling, and family support – it means hundreds of people will benefit."