# Obituary: Liz Monks, fundraiser and charity leader

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/11/05/obituary-liz-monks-fundraiser-and-charity-leader/
- Published: 2015-11-05T21:50:32+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**Fundraiser and charity chief executive Liz Monks has died following a 12-month
battle with cancer.**

She worked in the charity sector for over 20 years, holding senior fundraising roles
at Terence Higgins Trust, Shelter, RNID and Action for Children. She served as Director
of Fundraising at Breast Cancer Campaign and the Alzheimer’s Society.

She also chaired the Institute of Fundraising National Convention Board for many
years, helping to expand and develop it to its present scale and quality.

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## Fundraising to make a difference

![Liz Monks](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/files/images/news/
liz-monks.jpg)

Friends and colleagues of Monks have spent the last few months supporting her wish
to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. She announced six weeks ago that she
[wanted to raise £20,000 to fund a staff member to work full time for one year](https://www.justgiving.com/Liz-Monks/)
at the Royal Free Hospital in London where she was being treated.

She was passionate about why such support was vital. She said:

> “I want to make sure that no-one has to go through such misery and loneliness 
> when someone can be there to hold their hand through their difficult decisions,
> advise or advocate for them… This is one of the most positive things I can do 
> in the time I have left… to use my fundraising skills, and people I know, to make
> a difference that will help other people after me. In my situation I am sure you’d
> want to do the same – it’s what makes our profession, and makes us so proud to
> be in it.”

As the fundraising has developed, it has become clear just how many fundraisers 
have been nurtured and inspired by Monks. Comments on her appeal page show just 
how much she was respected by fellow fundraisers.

Lynda Thomas, CEO of Macmillan and a close of friend of Monks, spoke today about
her courage and conviction:

> “Liz was not just a brilliant fundraiser but also one of the most influential 
> leaders in our sector. Her ability to inspire and galvanize people to make change
> happen was demonstrated right to the end. Courage is often a much over used word,
> but in Liz’s case never so apt.”

The group of friends and former colleagues promised Monks that they would [continue to donate and fundraise for her appeal](https://www.justgiving.com/Liz-Monks/),
and to reach a new target of** £50,000**.

 

## Thoughts on Liz Monks

> A very great loss. A very special leader and person. [https://t.co/FSgrx2aFpr](https://t.co/FSgrx2aFpr)
> — =mc consulting (@bernardrossmc) [November 5, 2015](https://twitter.com/bernardrossmc/status/662399611835936769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

> Thoughts are with the family of Liz Monks. Struck me as both inspirational in 
> her fight & dedicated to her career. [https://t.co/fpyqoKUKP9](https://t.co/fpyqoKUKP9)
> — Katie Lawson (@KatieJLawson) [November 5, 2015](https://twitter.com/KatieJLawson/status/662404915956969474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

> Awful news – you'll never walk alone Liz – fundraiser & charity leader – [https://t.co/tuRSgY0Mnm](https://t.co/tuRSgY0Mnm)
> terribly sad news. [pic.twitter.com/1aJMBrQfUC](https://t.co/1aJMBrQfUC)
> — Alan Gosschalk (@alangoss) [November 6, 2015](https://twitter.com/alangoss/status/662540947985711104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

https://twitter.com/astaritamark/status/662691159811182593

 

https://twitter.com/berniehollywood/status/662549239902437376

 

> Sad news. Our sympathies to family & friends of [@liz_monks](https://twitter.com/liz_monks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> Please give in her memory here: [https://t.co/tCZObPIYwB](https://t.co/tCZObPIYwB)
> [https://t.co/CHq6dhlbgY](https://t.co/CHq6dhlbgY)
> — The SOFII team (@SOFIIisHOT) [November 6, 2015](https://twitter.com/SOFIIisHOT/status/662589995451052032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

> Very sad to hear about Liz Monks death. She will be greatly missed. Liz wanted
> to raise £20,000 for Macmillan. I hope the fundraising 1/2
> — Craig Linton (@frdetective) [November 5, 2015](https://twitter.com/frdetective/status/662399867260653568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

> Community will rally round & help smash this target. Her Justgiving page is here:
> [https://t.co/RVEHfkJglp](https://t.co/RVEHfkJglp)
> — Craig Linton (@frdetective) [November 5, 2015](https://twitter.com/frdetective/status/662400147884793856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

> All of us at the IoF would like to pay tribute to Liz Monks, friend and Fellow
> of the IoF, who has sadly passed away [https://t.co/sSEo2G43iY](https://t.co/sSEo2G43iY)
> — Chartered Institute of Fundraising (@CIOFtweets) [November 6, 2015](https://twitter.com/CIOFtweets/status/662589757306871808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

> Sad day for fundraising with the loss of Liz Monks. Obituary here: [https://t.co/aotHpDzfcb](https://t.co/aotHpDzfcb)
> JG page here: [https://t.co/qTUhTUfOq9](https://t.co/qTUhTUfOq9)
> — Jonathan Waddingham (@jon_bedford) [November 6, 2015](https://twitter.com/jon_bedford/status/662557641613426688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

https://twitter.com/RoxyMartinique/status/662576572638093312

 

> So sad to hear the news. Liz Monks – what a beautiful, inspiring and strong woman.
> [https://t.co/h7jcyeo7Ob](https://t.co/h7jcyeo7Ob)
> — bevacton (@BevActon) [November 6, 2015](https://twitter.com/BevActon/status/662585627813244928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

> Courageous and inspiring. Our wonderful colleague and friend Liz. Obituary: Liz
> Monks, fundraiser and charity leader [https://t.co/WX8IZxnubk](https://t.co/WX8IZxnubk)
> — Lynda Thomas CBE (she/her) (@lynda_thomas) [November 6, 2015](https://twitter.com/lynda_thomas/status/662535373516644352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

https://twitter.com/piterk68/status/662536755858526208

 

> Terribly sad news. RIP Liz Monks [https://t.co/LxGh8tKSvO](https://t.co/LxGh8tKSvO)
> — Steve Moore 🇺🇦 (@steve4good) [November 8, 2015](https://twitter.com/steve4good/status/663355011120918528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

> Such sad news. [@liz_monks](https://twitter.com/liz_monks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> was inspiring both in & out of work & a true fundraiser right to the end [https://t.co/3k1VjnTLEZ](https://t.co/3k1VjnTLEZ)
> — Victoria Shillito (@TweetingVic) [November 7, 2015](https://twitter.com/TweetingVic/status/663037540413345792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

> [@ukfundraising](https://twitter.com/ukfundraising?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) v sad 
> news, worked together [@alzscot](https://twitter.com/alzscot?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [@alzheimerssoc](https://twitter.com/alzheimerssoc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) on corporate
> partnerships [https://t.co/NbcxgRBD5T](https://t.co/NbcxgRBD5T)
> — GM🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴 (@gm_glendamac59) [November 6, 2015](https://twitter.com/gm_glendamac59/status/662589728974336002?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

> Obituary: Liz Monks, fundraiser & charity leader – UK Fundraising [https://t.co/VpfZUpeidX](https://t.co/VpfZUpeidX)
> < what terribly sad news. [pic.twitter.com/QSNzktYuFy](https://t.co/QSNzktYuFy)
> — Paul de Gregorio (@pauldegregorio) [November 5, 2015](https://twitter.com/pauldegregorio/status/662399127364481024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

> Such incredibly sad news about Liz Monks, a brilliant and truly inspiring [#Fundraiser](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Fundraiser?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [https://t.co/ARytwmoA3C](https://t.co/ARytwmoA3C)
> — Kiera Ridge (@KieraRidge) [November 5, 2015](https://twitter.com/KieraRidge/status/662398342530514944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

> Such a great loss; passionate fundraiser, supportive friend & great co-conspirator.
> Our sector is the poorer [https://t.co/HA7SZGF58n](https://t.co/HA7SZGF58n)
> — Chris Askew (@ChrisAskewCE) [November 5, 2015](https://twitter.com/ChrisAskewCE/status/662403171776598016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

> Very sad to hear this. [https://t.co/YCcbuxsnsN](https://t.co/YCcbuxsnsN)
> — Annabel Tompkins (@bel611) [November 5, 2015](https://twitter.com/bel611/status/662413145248538624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

https://twitter.com/Cesekberry/status/662524132672839681

 

> [@ukfundraising](https://twitter.com/ukfundraising?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@liz_monks](https://twitter.com/liz_monks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> so sad to hear the news – you inspired my early fundraising career
> — Marie Brown (@AlmusMarie) [November 7, 2015](https://twitter.com/AlmusMarie/status/663034129026560000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

https://twitter.com/LucyCaldicott/status/662539677933654017

 

> We'd like to express our sadness at passing of Liz Monks, former Director of Fundraising
> at Breast Cancer Campaign [https://t.co/KTmFnEGjmh](https://t.co/KTmFnEGjmh)
> — Breast Cancer Now (@BCCare) [November 6, 2015](https://twitter.com/BCCare/status/662665536489308160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

> Terribly sad news.Liz was a brilliant fundraiser. Obituary:Liz Monks, fundraiser
> and charity leader – UK Fundraising [https://t.co/DTzBqi5pF1](https://t.co/DTzBqi5pF1)
> — James Jopling (@jamesjopling) [November 7, 2015](https://twitter.com/jamesjopling/status/662911816297771008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

> “I had the pleasure and honour of knowing Liz and counting her as a proper fundraising
> friend. I worked with her on the National Convention board and she brought a fresh
> energy, enthusiasm and passion that was a real inspiration.
> “Personally though,
> Liz was a great confidante and always there with a wise word and advice. Her friendship
> and support – especially at a time of turmoil – was hugely appreciated and I –
> and many others – will miss her”.
> **Danielle Atkinson**

 

> “Liz was one of the most talented, energetic and creative fundraisers I’ve ever
> met, as well as one of the nicest. She always made time to offer support or advice.
> She led and influenced those around her with great enthusiasm and energy, was 
> sincerely passionate about the good causes she worked for, and for fundraising
> itself.
> “The epitome of a proud fundraiser, she was an inspirational member and Fellow
> of the IoF, and during her time as chair of our National Convention Board she 
> led the way in making it one of the biggest and best fundraising events in the
> world. A true believer in the importance of our fundraising community Liz will
> be missed by us all.”
> **Peter Lewis, CEO of the Institute of Fundraising**

 

> “What a truly inspirational and generous soul we have lost. About to re-double
> efforts for Liz’s appeal.”
> **Derek Humphries**