Valerie Dill asked her employer not to buy her a retirement gift — and to spend the money on books for her former school.

Mrs. Dill decided to do her bit for the drive to improve education by arranging for 160 books to be donated to Victor Scott Primary School as she retired from insurance broker Marsh yesterday.

"It's about the children and what we can do for our children — future leaders," she told The Royal Gazette.

"I guess there's so much emphasis put on education, the literacy of children. I thought it would be a good thing to do rather than get a gift for myself."

Mrs. Dill said the children loved the donation, and said she hoped to visit the school again for story-telling sessions.

She said this year is the school's 70th anniversary, but that she had not realised that when she made her decision.

On Marsh's donation, she said: "It makes me feel very humble when people give generously to a valuable cause."

Mrs. Dill worked for Marsh for 28 years.

The company's deputy head of office Heather Oakley said: "It is very sad to lose Valerie as she has been a valuable employee to Marsh over many years and will be sorely missed.

"Valerie's selflessness in choosing to donate books to the students at the Victor Scott School is a prime example of Valeries' generosity. We wish her the very best retirement."