Local Hospices Join Nationwide Hospice Legacy Campaign
St Elizabeth Hospice and St Nicholas Hospice Care are among over 140 hospices joining together as part of a new Hospice UK campaign, highlighting the importance of legacy gifts in Wills in keeping the UK’s hospices going.
Commencing on 17 February, the campaign includes new data which demonstrates the critical importance of legacy gifts in Wills to the nation’s hospices. The research comes as Hospice UK brings together a coalition of 143 British hospices to celebrate them and encourage people to consider leaving a gift to their chosen hospice in their Will.
Although legacy giving is growing across the charity sector, legacy market share for hospices is declining. This means leaving a gift in your Will can literally change lives. Legacy donations fund the equivalent of hospice care for 30,000 people per year, or 6,000 hospice nurses every year.
There’s an urgent need to futureproof this vital source of income, while also empowering people to make their legacy count.
Lynn Maskell, Legacy Officer at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “Currently, one in five St Elizabeth Hospice patients receives care thanks to the generosity of supporters who leave gifts in their Wills.
“These donations play a vital role in helping us continue to develop our services in order to support more people and their families across East & Mid-Suffolk, Great Yarmouth, and Waveney during the most challenging times of their lives.
“We hope this national campaign, by Hospice UK, will inspire more people to consider leaving a gift in their Will to their local hospice, ensuring that vital care can continue today, tomorrow, and for years to come.”
The demand for hospice care is on the rise. Today, as many as 90% of people who die in the UK could benefit from receiving palliative care[1]. And by 2040, around 130,000 more people in the UK will die each year than in 2023[2]. Now, more than ever, securing the future of hospices is crucial, to ensure they can continue providing the life-affirming care that so many rely on.
Nick Duncan, St Nicholas Hospice Care’s Gifts in Wills Manager, said: “Leaving a gift in your Will is one of the most powerful ways to ensure hospice care is here for generations to come.
“Even a small percentage of an estate can make a lasting impact, helping hospices like St Nicholas Hospice Care to provide care and support to those who need it most across West Suffolk and Thetford.
“Every legacy gift helps safeguard hospice services, ensuring no one has to face dying, death, or grief alone. With one in five hospices at risk of reducing services due to rising costs and funding shortfalls, community support is more crucial than ever.”
Catherine Bosworth, Director of Income Generation and Grants at Hospice UK, said:
“Hospices support people at the most vulnerable time of their lives, easing the physical and emotional pain of death and dying, letting people focus on living right until the end. They provide choice, dignity, and help families create lasting memories.
“They make life’s most difficult moments less scary – but they can only do this with enough funding. While the injection of government funds has provided much-needed support for the sector, hospices rely on gifts in Wills to continue offering the exceptional care people need.
“Leaving a gift in your Will is a powerful and heartfelt way to recognise your chosen hospice for all that they do.”
Get involved
Hospice UK is encouraging people to consider leaving a gift in their Will to support hospice care. Even a small legacy donation can make a significant difference in ensuring exceptional end-of-life support is delivered to those who need it most.
For more information, you can visit www.thisishospicecare.org.uk, search ‘hospice gift in will’ today, or simply visit your local hospice.
Real-life hospice stories
One person who is leaving a gift in their Will to the St Elizabeth Hospice is Maurice Lainchbury, whose wife Hazel received support from the hospice’s Inpatient Unit team until her death, aged 70 in May 2020.
“Leaving a donation to St Elizabeth Hospice in my Will was an easy decision. My career often took me abroad, with Hazel joining me frequently, so I’ve had my Will prepared for some time and know the peace of mind it brings,” said Maurice.
“From my personal experience with hospice care, I know just how essential their support is.”
You can read Maurice’s story in full here – www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/supporting-you/your-stories/maurice-hazels-hospice-story/
[1] Marie Curie. How many people need palliative care? Updated estimates of palliative care need across the UK, 2017-2021. Data and evidence briefing. [Internet]. Marie Curie; 2023 [cited 2024 Apr 16].
[2] Based on data from: Office for National Statistics (ONS). National population projections: 2020-based interim [Internet]. 2022 Jan 12 [cited 2024 Apr 16], and Office for National Statistics (ONS). Vital statistics in the UK: births, deaths and marriages [Internet] 2023 Feb 24 [cited 2024 Apr 16].
