Hospices unite to raise awareness of hospice care and ask people to leave a gift in their Will
We are one of a number of hospices taking part in a national awareness campaign to change perceptions of hospice care and highlight the vital importance of gifts in Wills to Heart of Kent Hospices’ annual income.
Heart of Kent Hospice provides specialist compassionate care and support for anyone in the local community with a terminal illness, enabling them to live in comfort, with independence and dignity to the end of their lives, as well as supporting those closest to them. The teams include specialist doctors, nurses, counsellors, welfare advisers, and spiritual team who provide emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing to those under the hospice’ care.
The “This is Hospice Care” campaign, launches today (Mon Feb 17). The campaign includes a powerful national TV campaign based on real life stories from people who have experienced hospice care that challenge misconceptions about hospices, showing the breadth of care and support they provide beyond clinical, highlighting their place at the heart of local communities. Modern hospice care is very much centred around living well for the time that’s left, rather than on dying.
New data released from Hospice UK today suggests legacy donations to hospices in Great Britain fund the equivalent of hospice care for 30,000 people per year, or 6,000 hospice nurses every year.
Rachel Street, Heart of Kent Hospice Chief Executive said: “We hope that this campaign will help raise awareness of the great work of hospices and that when writing their Wills people will consider leaving a gift to their local hospice, to ensure that the vital care they provide is secured for future generations. Any gift left to us is hugely appreciated whether that’s a specified amount, a percentage of an estate, or a donation of something to sell – a possession or property.
It can be tempting to think that gifts in wills are only for the very wealthy to consider, but anyone can leave a gift in their will, of any size, and make a difference. We start taking appointments for our Make A Will month soon, an easy way to write or update your Will through one of our partner solicitors, for a donation to the hospice. It also helps us to plan ahead if someone does make a pledge in their Will to tell us about their pledge, so that we can thank you now and in the longer term plan for the future.”
Heart of Kent Hospice receives only 18% of its funding from the government. It costs over £6.6 million to run the hospice and all its services for the community and the cost keeps rising. A gift to the hospice is an effective way to ensure this care continues to be there in years to come.
Find out more about the campaign and watch the film at www.thisishospicecare.org.uk
Leave a gift in your Will
A gift in your Will to Heart of Kent Hospice will ensure your compassion for others lives on in years to come. You can help to ensure that all-embracing hospice care is there for local people now and in future.
Make A Will Month
Write your Will, Secure Your Legacy, and Support Our Hospice. Create or review your Will through a local partner solicitor and help fund our hospice's vital services. Make a Will Month in April 2025 offers you the chance to write a Will for an affordable donation.