Three quarters of Britons regularly give to charity in their lifetimes, yet only 7% currently include a charity when writing a Will. Nevertheless gifts in Wills are still the foundation of many of Britain’s charities, creating more than £2 billion each year.*
At Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust over a third of our voluntary income is from generous people who leave gifts in their Wills. The money helps to transform patients’ lives year after year by supporting vital research projects, buying state-of-the-art equipment such as CT scanners, refurbishing gardens and children’s quiet rooms and supporting specialist staff.
Mary Lindsell (pictured) is a long-time supporter of Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie, from back in the 1960s when she worked as a dental nurse, right up until today, when, at 91, she is a dedicated super-knitter providing a regular supply of cosy outfits for premature babies born in the Rosie. She has also chosen to remember the hospitals by leaving a gift in her will, to continue to support patients for years to come.
Mary has had a long history with the hospitals; as a staff member, a patient herself, and as a support to many members of her family who have also been cared for at Addenbrooke’s.
Mary’s daughter Liz was looked after on the neurocritical care unit after a terrible accident in 2012. Mary said: “The staff there were wonderful and treated Liz so well. They even call her ‘The Little Miracle’ because she wasn’t meant to survive. Now Liz fundraises for the department, because without them, she wouldn’t be alive.”
Mary’s son Terry had two liver transplants at Addenbrooke’s and Mary said: “Those transplants extended his life, and I am truly grateful for that.”
She continued: “I am leaving some money to Addenbrooke’s because I wanted to say thanks for everything they have done. The hospital has played a big part in the lives of all my family, and of course, I worked here all those years ago. Addenbrooke’s and me are great pals!”
To find out how you can remember the hospitals through a gift in your will contact Alice Macek, Gifts in Wills Advisor on 01223 254841 email giftsinwills@act4addenbrookes.org.uk or visit www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk/giftsinwills
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