Make a Will: Leaving a legacy gift to St Leonard’s Hospice will help families in Yorkshire receive quality care

“The support and care we both received made Pat’s death the best it could be, for that I will be eternally grateful. And that’s why I’ve remembered the Hospice in my Will.”

These moving words are from Ian, a supporter of St Leonard’s Hospice, whose wife Pat died there in 2018. They had been married for 46 years.

“Pat’s end-of-life care was amazing but the staff also took the time to support me too,” he said. “In Pat’s final days they made her as comfortable as they could, with specialist round the clock care in a homely environment. I was able to sleep next to her and when the time came the nurses woke me to say goodbye.”

And he urges others to do the same. “Please let care like this be your legacy – you may be so grateful for their support, just as I was.”

About St Leonard’s Hospice

Last year the Hospice, at Tadcaster Road, York, cared for more people than ever before. A total of 15,000 people were supported through the Hospice’s services including Hospice@Home, the inpatient unit and bereavement and family support. It provides care for anyone with life-limiting illnesses – not solely cancer.

The Hospice is a charity, care is free for everyone but it costs nearly £8million a year to provide with just a quarter of that coming from government funding – and one in four patients are cared for because of gifts left in wills.

But the continued care and improvements they want to make to reach even more people, cannot be done without the support of the community. St Leonard’s said cost of living increases mean money is tight for many people – and charitable giving is one cost many have to cut. They understand people may not have the money to spare now, but, by leaving a gift in their Will, it means the Hospice will benefit in the future.

Any donation, however big or small, that is included in your Will today will make all the difference to a patient and their family at the most difficult time

Every penny counts

£600 could care for a patient in the Hospice for a day, providing pain relief and emotional support and practical advice. £1,000 could give help and give bereavement support to a family coping with the death of a loved one; and £5,000 could allow the Hospice@Home team to care for patients who have chosen to stay at home until the end of their lives, as increasing numbers do.

£50,000 would pay for two health care assistants for a year and £120,000 for three specialist nurses.

Find out more about the Hospice and leaving a gift in your Will

“Please let care like this be your legacy – you may be so grateful for their support, just as I was.”

Making your wishes known and keeping your Will up to date gives peace of mind to you and those you leave behind. It means your friends and family know your wishes and can carry them out more easily. It ensures your money is given to those you want to receive it and care about and it can minimise inheritance tax.

If you already have a Will, a simple codicil can be added to it so you could leave a gift to St Leonard’s.

Find out more by emailing legacies@stleonardshospice.nhs.uk or see our website