Hospice urges Bristolians to sign up for Make a Will Week

People in Bristol have been urged to take advantage of the annual St Peter's Hospice Make a Will initiative, which this year runs from October 22-26.

 

In return for a donation to Bristol's only adult hospice, City solicitors have once again offered to give their time free to help people draw up a standard will.

 

Organiser Anna Ross said writing a will brings security and peace of mind, not just to the person making the will but also to their loved ones.

 

She said: "Almost 30 Bristol solicitors are giving their time for free to write a standard Will in return for a donation to St Peter's Hospice. We are hoping that everyone taking part will donate between £100 - £150.

 

"Making a will enables you to make sure that your wishes are respected, your family have financial security and that your support for your favourite charity is continued."

 

Hospice volunteer Wendy Savage from Hotwells is an enthusiastic supporter of the scheme having used the service last year to update her will.

 

She said: "The Make a Will week is a great idea and enables people from all over the city to not only make the proper provision for their own family arrangements but also support the vital work St Peter's Hospice undertakes on behalf of the community."

 

When reviewing her will, Wendy also chose to leave a gift to St Peter's having been so touched by the care and support shown to her father and her family during the last few days of his life by the Hospice at Home team.

 

Wendy added: "I would recommend to anyone who needs a will to take advantage of this offer. Not only was the level of service I received excellent, efficient and professional but I was also able to contribute to St Peter's Hospice who was brilliant when my father died."

 

Wendy was also so pleased with the service she received from the solicitor that drafted her will that she has gone back to him for further legal requirements since.

Anna added: "Leaving a gift in your will, like Wendy did, is invaluable to us.  Last year we were able to support one in four patients through legacies left to us in wills. It doesn't have to be a large amount – it can be any percentage from 1 to 100 per cent and leaving a gift is straightforward, easy and cost effective."

 

Last year the hospice cared for 2,675 patients and supported over 6,000 family members including children.

All care is provided free of charge, but with the NHS contributing just under a quarter of the £6.5 million needed to run the hospice a year, support from the public is essential.

 

To take part in St Peter's Hospice Make a Will week please contact Anna Ross on 0117 915 9334 or email anna.ross@stpetershospice.org