A new charitable foundation has been set up by a couple who fell in love with Dorset.

Chiropodist Leon Samuels, who practiced in Bournemouth for more than 30 years, died last June aged 86 – 12 years after his wife Doreen lost her battle with cancer at the age of 75. Their will made provision for their estate to launch the Samuels Charitable Fund with Dorset Community Foundation.

It will fund grants for grass roots charities and community groups tackling poverty and disadvantage caused by age, illness, disability or isolation, with priority given to people with cancer, associated conditions or life-limiting illnesses.

The fund will also provide a bursary for a Dorset based student conducting PhD research into cancer or associated conditions.

A family friend said the couple, who were born and met in Wallasey on Merseyside, moved to Dorset through Mr Samuel’s work as a pharmaceutical salesman in 1981 and set up home in West Parley. He had trained as a chiropodist in Liverpool and set up his own practice in Wellington Road, Bournemouth.

Mrs Samuels worked as a primary school advisory teacher in Dorset and became a prominent member of the Townswomen’s Guild in the area.

Their friend said the couple, who had no children, were committed to setting up the fund after their death.

She said the couple first met through dancing and married in 1959.

“They fell in love and formed a lively dance partnership, they often performed in public,” she said.

Dorset Community Foundation director Grant Robson said: “We are incredibly thankful that Leon and Doreen chose to entrust us with their legacy. Their fund will be an enduring resource for community groups and charities working in the area they came to love.

“Funds like this are a wonderful way to allow a family name to live on and support causes that are close to someone’s heart in perpetuity.”

Find out more about the work of Dorset Community Foundation at dorsetcommunityfoundation.org.