Tribute to Lady Winifred Tumim by Maggie Woolley
Winifred Tumim Campaigner and Patron of Shape 1936-2009
Lady Winifred Tumim who died suddenly and unexpectedly on 5th November was not only a patron of Shape but a colleague and personal friend to many who have worked for and supported Shape since it was founded by Gina Levete over thirty years ago. It was around the same time that I first met Winifred when she was active in the National Deaf Children's Society and her late husband Sir Stephen Tumim who was chair at that time.
Winifred, herself went on to chair many organisations including CACDP (now Signature), RNID, NCVO, the Forum on Children and Violence and the Independent Advisory Group on Teenage Pregnancy. 
During her time at RNID and NCVO she campaigned vigorously for the radical overhaul of charity governance which is now enshrined in the 2006 Charities Act. Within Shape, Winifred spent many hours behind the scenes advising the trustees on governance and instilling a new level of ambition which quickly took hold throughout the organisation. Winifred was always there for me whilst I was Shape's CEO, either a phone call away or at her Stafford Place home.
Her sense of fun, zest and energy often made our talks about fundraising strategy more like chats about fun-raising. She enthused so many of her friends and contacts about Shape who then helped us in turn. As a trustee of the National Portrait Gallery she enabled us to hold the launch of Shape Friends in the Gallery and persuaded her friend, Maggi Hambling the artist to be our guest speaker.
It's hard to believe Winifred is gone. We have lost such a great friend and my heart goes out to Winifred's daughters Matilda, Emma and Olivia and their families. When I last saw Winifred she was fearlessly clambering over the rocks of North Cornwall's rugged coast where she and her family have holidayed ever since her childhood.
It was with the same fearless sure-footed confidence and irresistible charm that she would work a room full of serious arts or third sector men and women in suits and create laughter, all the while persuading them to support her latest cause or campaign. How we will miss her.
Maggie Woolley
