This month, Weston Hospicecare participated in the National Hospice Legacy Campaign – where 143 hospices unified to promote the importance of leaving a gift in your will to your local hospice. You may have seen us featured on TV as we worked to raise awareness, or perhaps you’ve seen our social media, website or press releases about how essential and meaningful a gift in your will is for Weston Hospicecare.
Today, we’d like to share an inspiring story of love, compassion, and gratitude from a local supporter and gifts in wills pledger, Mike. Mike kindly featured in our latest video and shared his story, in the hopes that other people will join him in leaving a gift in their will to safeguard the compassionate care our hospice provides in the community.
Mike and Ruth’s Story: A Love That Lives On
Mike’s connection to Weston Hospicecare is deeply personal. His wife, Ruth, was cared for by us in her final days before passing away in June 2022. Together, they shared a love story that began in 1971 and was rekindled in 2014, growing stronger than ever after years apart. After a whirlwind romance, they married in 2019 and built a life together in Clevedon.
Sadly, in 2020, Ruth was diagnosed with aggressive throat cancer. Despite undergoing major surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, Ruth’s condition worsened in 2022. After a hospital stay, she was admitted to Weston Hospicecare for respite, where the hospice team quickly became an integral part of their journey. Ruth’s time at Weston Hospicecare, though brief, was filled with compassion and expert care.
Mike recalls, “Ruth and I always had a very special bond, and even through her illness, she was grateful for the care she received. The hospice provided such comfort not only for Ruth but for me too. The support they gave me during those final days, making sure I was taken care of, was something I’ll always be thankful for.”
Ruth’s care at Weston Hospicecare allowed them both to make the most of their remaining time together. While Ruth was sedated for much of her stay, Mike saw firsthand how dedicated our team was, offering the utmost care and compassion during a deeply emotional time.
“It was a devastating time, but the care Ruth received was second to none,” Mike says. “I cannot fault Weston Hospicecare. It was wonderful, and it was the best we could have hoped for at the end.”
Leaving a Legacy of Love
In gratitude for the care Ruth received, Mike has made the decision to leave a generous gift to Weston Hospicecare in his will. This legacy will help ensure that future patients benefit from the same level of care that meant so much to Ruth and Mike.
“Please, if you can, leave a gift to Weston Hospicecare,” Mike urges. “Hospices like this do such a wonderful job. You never know when you might need the hospice yourself or your mother, your father, your brother, your sister, and you don’t realise just how important they are until you need them, and I’m forever grateful for the quality of care given to my dear Ruth.”
Mike’s story is just one of many that reflect the deep impact hospice care has on families. Gifts in wills are an essential source of funding for Weston Hospicecare, helping us continue to provide high-quality, compassionate care to those who need it most.
Why Leave a Gift in Your Will?
Like Mike, many people choose to leave a legacy gift to make a lasting difference. Here’s why it matters:
- A Lifeline for Future Generations – Your gift will help future patients receive the same high-quality, compassionate care that so many in our community have already benefitted from.
- A Personal and Lasting Legacy – Supporting a cause that is close to your heart ensures that your kindness carries on beyond your lifetime.
- A Way to Protect Local Hospice Care – With funding challenges growing, gifts in wills help safeguard hospice services, ensuring they remain available to everyone who needs them.
Make Your Will Week: March 3rd – 7th
If you’re thinking about leaving a gift in your will to Weston Hospicecare, we invite you to take part in our Make Your Will Week, running from 3rd – 7th March. During this week, local solicitors will waive their usual fees in exchange for a donation to Weston Hospicecare.
Join Mike in Leaving a Legacy
By following Mike’s example and leaving a gift in your will, you can help ensure that the compassionate care provided by Weston Hospicecare continues to support families like Mike and Ruth’s for years to come. Together, we can make sure that hospice care lives on – for all, for now, forever.
Click here to find more information about legacy giving or contact our Legacy & Philanthropy Fundraiser, Abi Smart, on 01934 423922.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and for helping us continue to provide the very best in hospice care. Your gift is our future.