David & Norma

David and Norma Bennett: their gift for the future of hospice care  

David and Norma Bennett’s commitment to hospice care began with the care Norma’s father received at St Mary’s Hospice in Birmingham. He described it as a “little corner of heaven”. The compassion and kindness shown to him stayed with Norma for the rest of her life and inspired the couple’s enduring support for the hospice movement.  

David and Norma moved to Maidstone in 1979. Having supported hospices in each place they called home, they soon became involved in the initiative to bring hospice care to their new community.  

In 1985, six years before Heart of Kent Hospice opened its doors, they became dedicated supporters of the Hospice. They contributed to its beginnings, governance and fundraising, helping to turn a vision for local hospice care into a vital community service.  

When David retired in 1990, the couple were able to take an even more active role in fundraising and volunteering, bringing a shared sense of purpose to their lives.  

For decades, David and Norma gave their time, energy and support to Heart of Kent Hospice because they believed that nobody facing a terminal illness should have to compromise on compassionate care. They were proud to be part of the Hospice community and deeply valued the difference its care made to local families.  

Their years of devoted support led David and Norma to make an especially important decision: they each left a gift to Heart of Kent Hospice in their Will. These gifts are a lasting expression of their belief in hospice care and will help the Hospice continue providing compassionate support to local people and their families for generations to come.  

David and Norma were blessed with a son and a daughter, five grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Their family came first when they made their Wills, and their loved ones fully supported the decision to leave something to the Hospice because they, too, understood and valued its work. For David and Norma, a gift did not need to be large to create a legacy of kindness.  

In 2024, Norma died, marking the loss of a remarkable advocate and much-loved friend of Heart of Kent Hospice. Her contribution to hospice care has benefited the community immeasurably, and the gift that she and David chose to leave will carry their compassion forward.  

“My dear wife Norma was a passionate champion of hospice care. The gifts we left to Heart of Kent Hospice in our Wills will be a fond legacy to the Hospice which Norma loved and will help to safeguard the future of hospice care in this community.”  

By remembering Heart of Kent Hospice in their Wills, David and Norma have made sure that their lifetime of support will continue far into the future.  

You too can let your compassion live on by leaving a gift in your Will to safeguard hospice care for generations to come.  

You can read more about the practicalities of leaving a gift in your Will using the link below:

Leave a Gift in your Will