Stalybridge couple secure future of Willow Wood Hospice with gift in their Will

A Stalybridge couple who have dedicated more than 15 years of volunteering to Willow Wood Hospice are now helping to secure its future for generations to come by leaving a gift in their Will.

Joanne and Chris Hinds, both 62 and married for 27 years, first walked through the doors of the Ashton-under-Lyne hospice in 2006 when Joanne’s auntie, Beryl, received care there.

It was during that difficult time that they met Beryl’s driver, Cyril, who ran the Hospice’s popular Coffee Mornings alongside his wife, Barbara. After attending one of the events, Joanne and Chris were inspired to get involved.

“If we can’t give up two hours a month to help, we need speaking to!” they said with a laugh.

What started as lending a hand soon became a long-term commitment. The couple became part of the team of volunteers who run the Coffee Mornings, forming lasting friendships and becoming deeply embedded in the Hospice community.

Over the years, they have supported Willow Wood in many different ways. Joanne served as a receptionist for several years, welcoming patients and families through the doors, while Chris now plays a key role as a trustee.

Together, they organise regular quizzes as well as two much-loved annual fundraising events – The Last Night of the Proms and the Festival of Christmas Music – which have raised thousands of pounds to fund vital patient care.

Through their volunteering, Joanne and Chris have seen first-hand the difference hospice care makes to families across Tameside and Glossop.

Having known many people who have relied on the Hospice’s services, the couple wanted to ensure that care remains available long into the future.

“A few years ago, we were discussing Wills and we thought about leaving something for Willow Wood,” Joanne explained. “Starting to think about life after death is an emotive subject and it can be difficult. The hardest part about making a Will is deciding what you want to do, particularly as a couple without children.”

Chris added: “We’re leaving a gift as a percentage of our estate. Even just one per cent can make a massive difference and leaves the bulk of someone’s Will to their loved ones. Today is always the right time to think about making your Will.”

Gifts in Wills currently fund the care of one in five patients at Willow Wood and are vital in providing compassionate, specialist and dignified care now and for future generations.

“Unfortunately, the Hospice’s services aren’t fully funded so it’s reassuring to know that by leaving a gift in our Wills will help care for others – it’s our legacy to our community,” said Chris.

Willow Wood Hospice has joined forces with 127 hospices across England, Scotland and Wales as part of the This Is Hospice Care campaign, encouraging people to consider leaving a gift in their Will.

New data from Hospice UK reveals that gifts in Wills fund the equivalent of 400,000 nights of hospice care every year across the country. However, 59 per cent of the public are unaware that hospices like Willow Wood provide their services free of charge.

It costs around £10,000 a day to keep the Hospice running. As an independent charity, Willow Wood receives just 24 per cent of its annual funding from the government, with the remainder raised through the generosity of the community, including gifts in Wills, donations, fundraising events, charity shop purchases, the weekly lottery and volunteering.

Sam Duncan, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “At Willow Wood Hospice, we're here for our community, whether it's supporting a partner to provide care at home, helping a loved one process grief, or providing dignified and compassionate end-of-life care.

“Gifts in Wills make all of this possible, helping to fund the care of one in five of our patients. These legacy gifts ensure that vital support is there, not just for the person who is receiving hospice care, but for those closest to them.”

Catherine Bosworth, Director of Income Generation and Grants at Hospice UK, added: “Our ageing population means demand for hospice care will only continue to grow, so it’s vital that we do what we can to secure hospice care now. A gift in your Will to a hospice doesn’t require parting with your money today – anyone can leave a legacy.”

For Joanne and Chris, the decision simply felt right.

After more than 15 years of unwavering dedication, their commitment will extend far beyond their lifetimes, helping to ensure that Willow Wood Hospice can continue to care for local families when they need it most.

For more information about leaving a gift in your Will to Willow Wood Hospice, visit willowwood.org.uk/giftsinwills.