Giving money to a friend

[FusionChefGeoff]

Through a combo of inheritance and a VERY good year for my business, DH and I suddenly have a LOT of money.

My very very good friend is a single mum, diagnosed 4 yrs ago with MS and she's really struggling. She works but has had to drop to 2 days a week as that's all she can manage. She's having a bit of a relapse at the moment and is wiped out with fatigue.

I would love to give her a gift (in the thousands) I and I know it would be such a relief for her to have savings again and not be panicking every month that she's only got £50 left and still a week till pay day.

But I don't know how to raise it without it changing our friendship for ever / her feeling patronised. I also don't think thousands in cash as an anonymous donation through her door would be that helpful either as she would then just be worrying about where it came from / how to pay it in etc.?

I'm really stuck so would appreciate any thoughts on this situation??

@QuattroFormaggi that's so spooky because that is genuinely the thought process. I'm gifting a chunk to Womens Aid and my local food bank then thought about making a more 'direct' impact for someone I know!

Thank you so much this has really helped and I'm going to talk to her first and use a lot of the phrases / tips: so focus on it's a windfall that I'm sharing and offer her the choice of a lump sum or instalments. I like the 'I know you'd do the same if you could' as well and will definitely make it very clear I don't expect it back.

I'll see when she's free next week so I can hopefully get it to her before Christmas