This September, staff at North Devon Hospice are raising awareness of the importance of Will-writing and the incredible impact that gifts in wills can have on funding end of life care.
North Devon Hospice is marking Make a Will Month this September by encouraging people across the region to write or update their Will and to consider the impact that not having a Will can have on their loved ones, as well as the difference a small gift left in a Will could make to local patients and families needing hospice care.
Research from The National Will Register indicates that only 37% of UK adults have a Will, while a further 34% plan to write one within the next year. This research highlights that for many, the intention to write a Will is there, but the action to do so is still, sadly, pushed to the bottom of the ‘To Do List’.
This September, staff at North Devon Hospice are raising awareness of the importance of Will-writing and the incredible impact that gifts in Wills can have in funding the vital care and support they provide to people in North Devon facing cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.
“The consequences of not writing a Will are something we sadly see often here at the hospice,” said Stephen Roberts, Chief Executive at North Devon Hospice. “For those who have lost a loved one, the sentimental pressures of respecting someone’s wishes can often leave families or friends facing uncertainty and stress. More than this, we also see the substantial administrative burden that not having a Will has on family and friends during an already difficult time. As such, writing a Will is something we encourage everyone to do no matter your age, as you never know when you or those you love might need it.”
As part of writing a Will, the option to leave a gift to a charity is always available and can make a huge difference. For hospices in particular, gifts in wills, however small, are vital to funding a significant share of patient care not covered by NHS funding.
“At North Devon Hospice, 1 in 4 patients are cared for thanks to gifts in wills,” added Stephen. “This means that 25% of people would not get the care and compassion we all deserve, as they approach the end of life, were it not for generous people remembering the hospice in their Will. Every gift, whether a fixed sum, share of an estate, or specific item, helps us to be a shining light in the dark for local people facing a life-limiting illness now and in the future.”
To mark Make a Will Month, North Devon Hospice is offering a free Wills Information Pack, available to download from the hospice’s website. The pack explains the will-writing process and covers the different ways to leave a gift, from a percentage of an estate to a fixed sum or specific item. It also sets out how legacies support local hospice care, with no obligation to leave anything to the hospice at all.
To request your free Wills Information Pack or find out more about how your gift could make a real difference to local families, visit northdevonhospice.org.uk/forever.
