LADY Frances Ramsbotham had the vision, but Sir Richard Gorham was the man who made Summer Haven a reality.

It was in 1980 that the well-known philanthropist was asked by then-Governor Sir Peter Ramsbotham to aid a project dear to his wife's heart ? establishing a home for the island's physically challenged.

Sir Richard accepted the invitation and what transpired has become legend. In the space of four years, he managed to secure a rent-free lease on Government property and privately raise the millions needed to build.

"If you have ambition, if you want to help your country, you make sure that what you do becomes a success," Sir Richard explained. "I never had any doubts that I'd be able to make Summer Haven a reality. I've never had an unsuccessful organisation yet."

Personally, Sir Richard's illustrious ? and numerous ? accomplishments include the rank of Honorary Colonel of the Royal Artillery for his war efforts, and the recognition of being the island's first Parliamentary Secretary.

One of the island's greatest supporters of charitable organisations, the 86 year old has funded, directed or lent his advice, to some 20 worthy institutions locally. And through the Bermuda Volunteer Independent Pension Fund he established with the pensions of around 100 residents ? his own included ? Sir Richard has funnelled more than $50 million to charity.

It was because of such noted achievements that he was contacted by Sir Peter.

"Sir Peter knew of my activities and called me up. Their daughter had a severe accident in the 1970s and became crippled and it's because of that they became involved in helping physically challenged people."

Sir Richard said that when Sir Peter initially made the request, he turned him down. As chairman of 12 charities, he didn't want to overextend himself. The Governor, however, was quick to point out that none of the institutions with which the philanthropist was involved championed the cause of the physically handicapped.

"I told him I would have to do some figures," Sir Richard said. "A truism in raising money is if you get one person, a donor, to give at least 15 per cent of the total cost, then you're in business. But if you don't do it, it won't work. And never does work."

The Governor, however, had done his homework. He handed Sir Richard a $100,000 cheque from (musical, film and theatrical producer) Robert Stigwood. At home, Sir Richard ran through the figures ? the donation wasn't enough.

"I decided that it would cost about $4 or $5 million. I needed more."

The Governor hosted a lunch so Sir Richard and Mr. Stigwood, who had a home in the island, could meet.

"I asked if he was prepared to give me $200,000 and he said yes. He'd heard about me. He knew my reputation (as a fund-raiser and financial consultant)."

Based on that donation and his own figures, Sir Richard informed the Governor he would accept.

"I told Mr. Stigwood I wanted his cheque on my desk at 11 o'clock the following day. People sometimes have short memories when you're dealing with money and I didn't know Mr. Stigwood from a hole in the wall. But the next morning, it was there. I was captured. So off I trotted."

Most of the legwork which followed was completed at Sir Richard's expense. First, he travelled in his motor boat along the South Shore in search of the perfect location. Then, he flew to Canada and England to learn as much as he could about establishing the facility he and Lady Ramsbotham had in mind.

"People who are in wheelchairs tend to feel the heat a lot. They can't just get out (of their chair)," he explained. "I had to find somewhere that could be cooled without air-conditioning as air-conditioning is a cumulative cost. The prevailing winds on the South Shore during the summer are from the south. The hot air travels over the ocean, the ocean cools it.

"I didn't know anything about handicapped people. So I went, at my expense, all around Canada. I spoke with people in the Salvation Army who (looked after) handicapped people. Then I went to England, again at my expense. I had to do it. I couldn't afford to make a mistake because if I did, the people who had given me money that time, would never do so again."

Having searched and found a property owned by Government, Sir Richard presented his request.

"There was no way I'd find an individual willing to give up a South Shore property when it could be worth $1 million. So I went to the Government and said I'd like to have that piece of land for the handicapped; that it was right next to a beach ? John Smith's Bay ? which would provide a nice form of recreation.

"The first thing the Minister in charge asked was how I was going to finance it. I told him the private sector would pay for all of it. He liked that. And I never asked the Government for a penny ? just the land. When they turned the key in the building, it was all paid for. Today, Summer Haven is considered to be the best in the world."