The RSPCA Isle of Wight is set to host a special online charity auction in memory of local resident Gerry Blow, who sadly passed away in April this year at the age of 100.
In a remarkable gesture of kindness, Gerry left £10,000 and the entire contents of his home to the charity in his Will, asking that they be auctioned to raise vital funds for animals in need.
The auction, which goes live on 1st September 2025, offers a unique chance to bid on furniture, collectables, and household items mainly from the 1960s and 70s – the era when Gerry and his late wife, Daryl, bought their first home in Ryde. Every penny raised will go directly to the RSPCA Isle of Wight Animal Centre.
🔗 Auction preview: www.jumblebee.co.uk/gerrysauctionforrspcaisleofwi
Born in Liverpool in 1924 to Isle of Wight parents, Gerry lived an extraordinary life. He served with the Royal Air Force ground crew during the Second World War, working on Spitfires, Typhoons, and Tempests. After the war, he settled on the Island, where he became a well-known barber in Ventnor, Shanklin, and Ryde – even cutting the hair of a young Jeremy Irons. He and Daryl later enjoyed many happy years at Ryde Bowls Club, winning numerous trophies and friends along the way.
Gerry celebrated his 100th birthday in July 2024 and received a telegram from the King, he was asked the secret to his long life. His reply:
“I eat healthily and I don’t smoke. My mother and father did, and I hated it.”
“We are honoured by Gerry’s incredible generosity,” said Claire Wyndham, Finance and Administration Manager, at RSPCA Isle of Wight. “This auction is a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to others, and it will help us continue caring for vulnerable animals on the Island.”
To learn more about leaving a legacy gift, visit www.rspca-isleofwight.org.uk/legacy
