House donated for elderly people with intellectual disabilities
Published: September 5, 2003
Kenneth Cumberland is humble when it comes to talking about his $470,000 gift to IHC.
The 89-year-old retired geographer, former host of the Landmarks television series, has donated a six-bedroom home specially built for elderly people with intellectual disabilities.
“I didn’t think the media would be interested,” Dr Cumberland said.
“People give things to charity all the time.”
Dr Cumberland’s Down Syndrome daughter, Sheevaun, was to live at the house in a new Pukekohe subdivision, but she died last year aged 59 before it was completed.
“She was our inspiration in doing this,” Dr Cumberland said.
After moving to New Zealand from England in the 1950s Dr Cumberland both wrote and presented the 1982 Landmarks series. He also set up Auckland University’s geography department and compiled the first atlas for New Zealand schools.
The home’s manager, Lynette Wright, said IHC was very grateful to Dr Cumberland but sad that his daughter did not have a chance to enjoy the facility.
The home was the first in the country to be built for people with intellectual disabilities who were ageing and frail.
Dr Cumberland said he and his family were delighted to give the house to IHC in recognition of its work.
But he wanted it known that such gifts were not a regular occurrence.
“I’m not one of those wealthy men who can do this every day,” he said.
“I’m a Yorkshireman and we were raised to work hard, spend money carefully and save as much as we can.”
Cumberland Home will be opened at 3pm on Monday.
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