30,000 people per year wouldn’t receive hospice care without gifts in Wills

New data from Hospice UK highlights the critical importance of legacy gifts in Wills in keeping our nation’s hospices going. The research comes as Hospice UK brings together a coalition of 143 British hospices, Including Lindsey Lodge Hospice and Healthcare, to celebrate them and encourage people to consider leaving a gift to their chosen hospice in their Will.

Although legacy giving is growing across the charity sector, legacy market share for hospices is declining. This means leaving a gift in your Will can literally change lives. Legacy donations fund the equivalent of hospice care for 30,000 people per year, or 6,000 hospice nurses every year. There’s an urgent need to futureproof this vital source of income, while also empowering people to make their legacy count..

In response, Hospice UK has brought together a collation of 143 British hospices to launch a national campaign to celebrate all that hospices do and to encourage the nation to support them through leaving a gift in their Will.

The demand for hospice care is on the rise. Today, as many as 90% of people who die in the UK could benefit from receiving palliative care^[1]. And by 2040, around 130,000 more people in the UK will die each year than in 2023^[2]. Now, more than ever, securing the future of hospices is crucial, to ensure they can continue providing the life-affirming care that so many rely on. At the campaign’s heart is a powerful collection of real-life stories that challenge misconceptions about hospices, showing the breadth of care and support they provide and highlighting their place at the heart of local communities. From caring for people at the end of their lives, to supporting loved ones, to planning weddings, birthday parties, and pet visits, hospices help create cherished moments and bring comfort to all who need their support.

Stories like Marjorie’s (pictured above). Marjorie’s time at Lindsey Lodge has spanned over several years as she has accessed a number of our services. Her journey began in 2021 with treatment for Lymphoedema, followed by enrolment in the Breathe Easy Enablement Programme (BEEP) to manage her Emphysema. “Lindsey Lodge changed my life,” Marjorie shared. “Thanks to them, I can breathe and walk better. We need places like Lindsey Lodge; there should be more of them.”

Currently, Marjorie is a regular attendee at the weekly wellbeing sessions on Fridays, cherishing the opportunity to connect with others who share similar experiences. When her condition worsened over Christmas 2024, requiring a stay in the in-patient unit, Marjorie felt a sense of security despite the unexpected turn. The familiar environment and the friendly, trusted staff helped her feel safe as they supported her recovery. “Everyone here is so lovely,” Marjorie expressed. “I can’t praise them enough. We have such a laugh here, which I never expected.”

The campaign shows how hospice care relies on the generosity of people leaving a gift in their Will to their local hospice, to ensure that support is available for everyone who needs it, both now and in the future.

Catherine Bosworth, Director of Income Generation and Grants at Hospice UK, says:

Hospices support people at the most vulnerable time of their lives, easing the physical and emotional pain of death and dying, letting people focus on living right until the end. They provide choice, dignity, and help families create lasting memories. They make life’s most difficult moments less scary – but they can only do this with enough funding. While the injection of government funds has provided much-needed support for the sector, hospices rely on gifts in Wills to continue offering the exceptional care people need. Leaving a gift in your Will is a powerful and heartfelt way to recognise your chosen hospice for all that they do.

Tom Moody, Director of Income Generation and Deputy Chief Executive at Lindsey Lodge, says:

Gifts in Wills form a huge part of what we are able to offer to the people of North Lincolnshire. Lindsey Lodge Hospice and Healthcare occupies a unique and vital position as the sole provider of hospice care in North Lincolnshire. This distinction carries with it a significant responsibility: to not only maintain our current high standards but also to constantly evolve and adapt to the ever-shifting landscape of healthcare.

A gift in a Will helps to sustain Lindsey Lodge for future generations to ensure that we are always there to care for our community when they need us the most.

Get involved

We are encouraging people to consider leaving a gift in their Will to support hospice care. Even a small legacy donation can make a significant difference in ensuring exceptional end-of-life support is delivered to those who need it most.

For more information, you can visit our dedicated website page

To watch the ‘This is Hospice Care’ video, click here

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[1] Marie Curie. How many people need palliative care? Updated estimates of palliative care need across the UK, 2017-2021. Data and evidence briefing. [Internet]. Marie Curie; 2023 [cited 2024 Apr 16]. 

[2] Based on data from: Office for National Statistics (ONS). National population projections: 2020-based interim [Internet]. 2022 Jan 12 [cited 2024 Apr 16], and Office for National Statistics (ONS). Vital statistics in the UK: births, deaths and marriages [Internet] 2023 Feb 24 [cited 2024 Apr 16].