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Thomas Monke was a wealthy landowner who lived in Shenton in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He had 3 sons but sadly all died within 12 years of each other, the last in 1704. 

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He was so distraught by their deaths that, in his grief, he 'went walkabout'. He was especially moved by the kindness shown to him in 4 parishes (Austrey, Measham, Whitwick and Shenton) and so he decided to use his wealth to help the people of these villages. He made provision for apprentices to be awarded money towards the cost of tools. 

The charity still exists today. Its grant recipients now include young people up to the age of 25 to pay for tools, equipment, books, fees or travelling expenses to help develop skills in their jobs or to advance their education, and people over 75 who are living alone and are in need of a little financial help (for example with fuel costs).

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For further information, please visit the following web site: http://opencharities.org/charities/214783 

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(Registered Charity No: 214783)

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