A Northampton millionaire has embarked on a lifelong dream to share his wealth among local causes.
Entrepreneur Matt Stockdale, owner of cleaning product company HomePride, stunned participants at a charity Sleep Out in St Giles Church yard, in the town centre, on Friday night, by appearing out of the blue and donating thousands of pounds.
H
e wrote a cheque for £5,300 for the hosting charities including CAN, the Hope Centre and YMCA – beating the total amount raised during last year's event.
Matt, 40, who grew up in Lings and is now based in Paulerspury, said: "I started out in life much like a lot of young people these charities look after.
"I grew up in a council flat and we had nothing. Just floorboards. There were times when homelessness was quite easily a possibility. Sometimes it just takes someone to come along and make a difference."
And he has vowed to continue giving to good causes for the rest of his life.
He said: "I always knew I'd be a millionaire. When I was 16, I had a dream – I'd become a millionaire, and for every million pounds I made, I was giving half away. I've been telling that story for decades, and now I'm doing it."
Matt sold HomePride, which had a turnover of £4 million, in a multi-million pound deal in December.
And he's already identifying local people to help. His giving will focus on the cost of heating, and making it affordable for all.
He is currently founding a group of businesses – The Stockdale Group – which will be obligated to give 50 per cent of all earnings to good causes "for generations to come".
He added: "There are a lot of wealthy people out there, and I want to appeal to them: If you gave half your money away, would your life really change?"
He said he was determined to inspire others like him to give to those in need.
He added: "I may be a single voice, but I shout very loudly. I'm hoping to make some real, lasting change."
Kate Gelder, fundraising development manager for Northamptonshire YMCA, said of Friday's surprise donation: "I went weak at the knees. People have been asking to see the cheque, because they can't believe it until they see it. We're very grateful."
Michael Ellis, Conservative Parlimentary Candidate for Northampton North, who participated in the sleep out and invited Matt along, said: "This is just the kind of social justice project I'm interested in supporting."
