Tributes have been paid to Julia Rausing, who passed away following an extended illness at the age of 63 last week.

A decade ago she co-founded the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust with her husband Hans. It has so far given more than 1,000 grants worth over £330m to good causes.

The funder is one of the largest philanthropic organisations in the country, for causes including health, welfare, the arts and supporting young people.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of my beloved wife Julia after an extended illness,” said Hans Rausing.

“Julia dedicated her life to her family and charitable causes, and she will be missed by all who knew her. She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy across many charities which we will continue in her name.”

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Julia Rausing (née Delves Broughton) after an extended illness. https://t.co/ykB1BBtREZ pic.twitter.com/RxqKPmSI6E

— Julia & Hans Rausing Trust (@JHRTrust) April 18, 2024

Among those to pay tribute to Julia Raising is Leukaemia UK, which says her legacy in supporting charities was “remarkable.

Theodora Children’s Charity said her legacy “will be far reaching across the charity sector and beyond”.

Her trust’s work had included handing £35m in emergency funding to charities during the Covid pandemic.

Full Circle Fund Therapies said: “With our deepest most heartfelt condolences at such a desperately sad time. Julia's decisive, compassionate action at the time of Covid pandemic, will never be forgotten by us and so many,”

George Smith, trustee at befriending and mentoring charity Family Friends, said her support “was very much appreciated”.

Similarly, Blackburn with Darwen AgeUK, said its funding from the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust had “made a huge difference to us and Blackburn with Darwen’s older people”.

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