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Staff at St Catherine’s lead the way for Wills Week

Posted on - 4th October, 2019 - 12:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Lostock Hall, Preston News
Kirsty Bush, St Catherine’s Hospice Clinical Nurse Specialist

Staff from St Catherine’s Hospice are taking advantage of the charity’s annual Wills Week to get their affairs in order – leading by example in encouraging others to get this important job ticked off the list.

Wills Week, which runs this year from November 11 to 15, sees local, reputable solicitors waive their will-writing fee in return for a donation to St Catherine’s Hospice in Lostock Hall.
The popular scheme means people can get their will written at a discounted rate, whilst also raising vital funds towards the charity’s work caring for those in Central Lancashire facing life-shortening conditions.

Earlier this year – as part of the national Dying Matters Week awareness campaign, which encourages people to talk more openly and be more prepared for the end of life – St Catherine’s held an event for hospice staff and volunteers, asking the question: ‘Are we ready?’

Exploring subjects such as organ donation and bucket lists, it also looked at the importance of having an up to date will in place.

Now several hospice staff are looking forward to taking advantage of Wills Week to put their own arrangements in place.

Read more: Bark in the Park proves as pup-ular as ever

Kirsty Bush, aged 29 and one of the hospice’s community Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) who visits people in their own homes across Central Lancashire, said: “Me and my partner Glenn have been together for six years but we’re not married.

“Having a will would ensure things don’t get messy and my wishes are met – this includes other things too, like the fact I want to be cremated, not buried.

“Working in the job I do, I’ve also seen how stressful and upsetting it can be for the relatives when someone dies without a will, so I definitely want to avoid that.”

Maxine Concannon, aged 51 who is also part of the CNS team, used Wills Week to finally get her will written a few years ago.

“It feels like there’s never a right time to write a will,” Maxine said, “but once you’ve done it, it’s one less thing to worry about. It wasn’t until my dad died that I realised the true importance of having a will.

“With a young family, a house and responsibilities, I knew I had to sort it.

“Through Wills Week, my husband and I were able to arrange an appointment with a solicitor in our local village.

It was really straightforward. You feel a real sense of relief once it has been signed. It’s important to remember you will is not set in stone – Wills Week can also be an opportunity to make any changes, whilst also supporting
St Catherine’s.”

A suggested minimum donation of £95 is required for each will, or £145 for mirror wills.

There is no obligation to leave a donation to St Catherine’s Hospice in your will, but this is another valuable way to support the charity.

Donations in wills don’t cost anything now, but help to secure the hospice’s specialist care long into the future.

Read more: Eight year old fundraising hero raises £1,000 for St Catherine’s

Lorraine Charlesworth, director of community and income at St Catherine’s, said: “Wills Week gives us an opportunity to raise awareness of the benefits of getting your affairs in order – whatever your age or circumstances.

“Having an up to date will ensures your wishes will be carried out, and gives peace of mind to your loved ones that they’re doing what you would have wanted.

“It also raises vital funds for the hospice each year – it really is a win-win.

“We’re once again honoured to have a fantastic team of local solicitors on board, and extremely grateful to them for giving up their valuable time and using their expert skills to support us in this way.”

Solicitors taking part are Birchall Blackburn Law, Complete Wills and Probate, Forbes, Harrison Drury, Marsden Rawsthorn, Roebucks, Vincents, and Worralls.

Appointments for Wills Week book up fast – to request an information pack with all of the details you need about making an appointment for the week of November 11 to 15, visit www.stcatherines.co.uk or call 01772 629171.

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