ellenor, a local hospice dedicated to providing compassionate care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses across Kent and Bexley, offers vital support from diagnosis onwards. 

From their Inpatient Ward to their Respite and Wellbeing services, which include Play Therapy, Bereavement Support, and more, ellenor support the emotional and psychological well-being of both patients and their families, offering a holistic approach to care that addresses the needs of the whole person.  

As demand for ellenor’s services is projected to increase by 30% by 2027, gifts in Wills play a critical role in securing the necessary funding for our future. 

A Will is a legal document that sets out what happens to your money, property and/ or possessions(known as your estate) after your death. Making a Will helps ensure your estate goes to the people or causes you care about. 

Gifts left inWills contribute nearly £1 million annually, helping ellenor raise the£7 million needed each year to provide its vital care services. 

Verity Owers, ellenor’s Legacy Giving Manager shared: 

“We are immensely grateful for all of the legacy gifts we receive here at ellenor. The generosity of those kind supporters who choose to leave a gift in their Will directly benefits our local community.”    

There can be a misconception that leaving a legacy is complicated and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. There are various ways to get a Will drawn up and it’s advisable to work with a solicitor or professional to ensure your wishes and circumstances are reflected. But there are simple and cost-effective ways of making and updating a Will. Will writing services can assist with this process and so with that in mind, ellenor have recently partnered with Squiggle, a local, Kent based Will writing service.  

Through the service, ellenor supporters can have a basic Will written for free with the option to make a one-off donation to ellenor, as well as receive details of how they could leave a gift in their Will to ellenor, although there is no obligation to do either. 

Anna Barker,Operations Director at Squiggle Consult, said; "Our aim at Squiggle Consult is to offer accessible legal services and support. We also know how important it is for charities to have reliable sources of funding that help to ensure their long-term stability. We are delighted to partner with ellenor and hope the partnership will lead to legacy gifts that will help make a positive impact to their future”. 

Ultimately, leaving a gift in your Will provides the opportunity to be part of something lasting. As Verity explained: 

“By leaving a gift in your Will to ellenor, you become part of the future of our hospice. We have very generous supporters who support us now– which we need, because we’re providing services now – but this is about ensuring we can go on providing those services in the long-term.” 

To learn more about Legacy Giving at ellenor and to request a free information pack, please contact ellenor’s Supporter Care team at 01322 626509 or via email atsupportercare@ellenor.org. Additional details can also be found at www.ellenor.org/support-us/in-memory/gift-in-wills/