Hospice announces return of annual Wills Month

Independent Suffolk charity St Elizabeth Hospice has announced the return of its annual Wills Month, an initiative which encourages people to consider the distribution of their estate after their death.

Research shows 54% of people of UK adults are currently without a Will and this annual initiative by St Elizabeth Hospice is calling on people to write or update their Will this May.

St Elizabeth Hospice’s Wills month has been held annually since 2016, raising more than £81,200 for the hospice during this time. This year a number of local solicitors will once again be supporting Wills Month, with further details available on St Elizabeth Hospice’s website.

Lynn Maskell, Legacy Officer at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “Having a Will in place is one of the best things you can do for your loved ones as, during an emotionally difficult time, it provides them with your wishes of how you would like your estate to be distributed.

“If you are considering leaving a gift in your Will to St Elizabeth Hospice, no matter what size, please be assured it will be very gratefully received and it will make a real difference to the hospice, as we continue to support local people and their families during difficult times in their lives.”

Every year the hospice cares for more than 3,000 Suffolk patients and their families at a cost of £12.9m, of which 70% is raised by the community through gift donations in wills, St Elizabeth Hospice’s retail shops and local fundraising activities; with one in five patients cared for by funds donated by gifts in Wills.

One person who was motivated to create her Will, by a previous St Elizabeth Hospice Wills Month, is Jessica Prosser, Trusts Manager at St Elizabeth Hospice.

“My husband and I have been married for over ten years. We own a house, we have three children and we began thinking about the children’s future and the importance of having a plan and guardians in place to support them, in the eventuality something happened to us,” she explained.

“Being a part of the hospice I was aware of Wills Month and it presented the perfect opportunity for my husband and I to begin the process of writing our Wills.

“It was a simple process which encapsulated every element of end-of-life and our wishes, but after it was complete, I felt we had peace of mind.

“We also took the decision to support the hospice through leaving a donation in our Will, as recognition for the brilliant free care they give to so many families in the local community. I hope my donation helps contribute to the hospice’s ambition to continue developing its care to support even more families, during difficult times in their lives, throughout Suffolk for many years to come.”

To find out more about St Elizabeth Hospice’s Wills Month call 01473 723600 or visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/support-us/make-a-donation/make-a-gift-in-your-will/wills-months