The Trust was set up after the death of Ruth in 2015. It had been both Bert and Ruth’s wishes to establish a charitable trust to provide supplementary pensions, annuities, grants and otherwise assist the general welfare of people who are natives of Dalbeattie. After her death Ruth’s will left considered views as to how she wished the terms of the trust to operate and so the original Trustees came up with the organisations purposes.

To relieve those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship other disadvantage, in particular by providing financial and other support to people who were born in or are native to the town of Dalbeattie or who were born in or are native to neighbouring villages and hamlets.

Providing financial support to local sporting clubs and organisations to encourage engagement in healthy pursuits and the promotion of healthier lifestyles.

Promoting and supporting the use of alternative therapies in the local community

Promoting and supporting the adoption of a healthier diet by the Beneficiaries and encouraging good health throughout the community and other organisations such as local school and Dalbeattie Day Centre and contributing towards the acquisition and running cost of a bus for the Centre.

To advance participation in, access to and encourage developments of the arts and culture with the town of Dalbeattie by providing financial support to local art groups, heritage groups and similar organisations for community based activities

To advance citizenship and community development by providing financial support to local organisations who edge in the advancement of citizenship and community development and supporting local schools to provide extra-curricular activities to further education  and broaden the scope activities enjoyed by pupils, to further the physical and mental wellbeing of pupils and to further the advancement of community spirit with pupils.

Bert and Ruth Dunn are best remembered in Dalbeattie for running their electrical shop at 59 High Street, a business that they spent 28 years at the helm after it was founded by Bert’s grandfather Robert in 1885.

 Both born in Dalbeattie, Bert at 61 High Street in 1930 and Ruth in the family home at 52 Port Street in 1929, their early time together was only interrupted by Bert’s National Service in 1953.

Stationed at RAF West Freugh in the Electrical Section he would often write to Ruth bemoaning that he was stuck in the cookhouse working or might not make it back to Dalbeattie for the weekend as he was on a charge for not making his bed.

Ruth at this time was  working for Mr Little, solicitor and Town Clerk of Dalbeattie Town Council, she was an active member of the tennis club and drama club where one of her roles in Dalbeattie Town Hall was that of Elizabeth Barrett in The Barrets of Wimple Street.

They married on the 5th April 1956 at Christ Church in Dalbeattie and when Bert’s father died Ruth joined Bert as a partner in the family firm of R Dunn & Son

The business had started when Robert Dunn moved to Dalbeattie from Ecclefechan and began making clogs for the local quarry workers, it soon expanded into bicycles and motor bikes and was the first shop in Dalbeattie with a petrol pump outside it. Over the years Bert developed the electrical side of the business. With no family to take over they reluctantly decided to sell the business and retire in 1991.

This left the couple more time for holidays, holidays in far away exotic places inspired by Bert’s love of being an avid National Geographic magazine reader.

In later years Berts health suffered, Ruth nursed him devotedly and the couple took great joy in being part of the Dalbeattie Day Centre community,

After 53 years of marriage Bert passed away in 2009 followed by Ruth in 2015 but they leave behind them a charitable trust that will benefit the people of Dalbeattie for many years to come.