It’s the ironic twist in the tale of a bizarre story which started when big-hearted Brian Burnie’s beloved wife Shirley fell ill with breast cancer. The philanthropist was so delighted when she made a full recovery that he developed an addiction to helping cancer sufferers just like her. Yet as the 70-year-old sold off their £16million mansion, auctioned their belongings and ploughed all the proceeds into his own cancer charity in 2009, the love of his life was at the end of her tether....
Although the pair failed to see eye-to-eye on his non-profit venture Daft As A Brush, Brian maintained all he needed was his family, publicly declaring at the time: “I’ve no interest in bricks and mortar. I’ve no interest in possessions.” But four years after his selfless acts shocked and inspired the nation in equal measure, he also unintentionally lost the woman who had inspired him.
Speaking for the first time since the split, Shirley reveals: “I didn’t want to give everything away. We needed a home and an income and we have three children. I wanted security for us and our family. “It took over his life, becoming more important than anything else to him. I said to him often that we had other things to consider, but his top three priorities were the charity, the charity and the charity.”
Asked if he kept anything for himself he replies: “Nothing. I live off my pension, even that goes to the charity when I die.”
Shirley says: “Brian has what he wanted. We keep hearing he’s never been happier, which hurts a bit given that we had 30 years of marriage and three children, but he has made his choice.”
He went extreme but since it's ok by him then it's ok. But he should've considered his family. There are much more better ways to satisfy raring passions like his.
ReplyDeleteHe was totally consumed by his passion and that has cost him his family. Like u said there are sure credible feasible ways to go about charity not like this in my own opinion
DeleteThat's pretty a silly way to to be a philanthropist.
ReplyDeleteSo long as he's fulfilled within himself about what he did and without regrets it's ok by me
ReplyDeleteWhat he did is actually commendable and exemplary so critics should back off. If he wishes to go utterly broke for others to have a meaningful life what's that to u you meddlers?
ReplyDeleteAll am saying is that he went too far. He actually forgot that he has a family also who are his responsibility. So in this situation how do you expect his family feel about this? It's simply crazy you know
DeleteU say whatever you wanna after we all entitled to various Opinions and talk is cheap anyway.
DeleteThis is like 'robbing Peter to pay Paul' it's not ideal however u look @ it
DeleteHow does this change the fact that we bringing back Jonathan 2015 SMH!
DeleteLol!!
DeleteThe man isn't in anyway regretful of what he did. If he had his money back he'd do it over and again and u guys are here worrying your poor miserable lives. Lol
ReplyDeleteLol! I no fit laugh.........
DeleteCharity begins at home. The man no try abeg
ReplyDeleteNext...........
ReplyDeleteHow does this news help to #Bring Back Our Girls???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????!
ReplyDeleteNoted
ReplyDeleteWhat an epitome of selflessness. If each and every one of us can emulate this wonderful example the world would surely be a better place for us
ReplyDeleteStop daydreaming and fooling yourself because the last time I checked there's no such thing as a 'perfect world'
DeleteDamn this is unbelievable. Never knew such people are still available amongst us in this very time. This is pure selflessness, putting others before you. I really admire the man it's not an easy decision to make and see to it the very end. Many of our celebrities would claim they're running a charity organization but their sole aim is to get donations from the public which they end up for thei personal aggrandizement but here's a man who's willing to sacrifice all that he had all for the betterment of the lot of others. His family may forsake him but certainly heaven and history will not
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with u what he did was exceptional and laudable
DeleteUnbelievable!
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm saying is that family comes first. He neglected his family and that's wrong
ReplyDeleteSeen!
ReplyDeleteThe magnanimity of this gesture by Brian is what I may call "SELFISHNESS" as he never considered the feelings of those around him, especially his immediate family's needs because giving all to Charity... This is not how charity should work! Anyone who truly understands my point of view will agree that it wasn't right what he did.
ReplyDelete@ChrysEnwere; I think you are right because it's not many that can have this kind of heart and courage to go this. This man must be a living Saint. Let the family not feel bad, because this is a seed of posterity, which they shall reap good in time.
ReplyDeletethis is incredible I must say
ReplyDeleteThis is good.
ReplyDeleteI still baffle at this charity giving, because it seems like it's not happening in this our world, but this is reality.
ReplyDelete