News - 'Golden Girls' legend Bea Arthur, who passed away earlier this year, has left $300,000 in her will to the Ali Forney Center, a New York charity that helps young gay homeless people.

Executive Director of The Ali Forney Center, Carl Siciliano says: "We work with hundreds of young people who are rejected by their families because of who they are."

The Ali Forney Center operates two drop-in centers. These offer food, clothing, HIV testing, treatment and prevention services, other medical and mental health treatment, in addition to vocational and educational assistance. The organisation provides services to more than 1000 people each year, offering emergency shelter and transitional housing in seven residential sites across New York.

Mr. Siciliano added: "We are overwhelmed with gratitude that Bea saw that LGBT youth deserve as much love and support as any other young person, and that she placed so much value in the work we do to protect them, and to help them rebuild their lives."

NY DailyNews.com also reports that there are plans to buy a building which will house 12 young people. The home will be named in honor of the "Golden Girls" actress.