“Katharine House Hospice is in my will”

As we reach the milestone of 35 years of caring for people in Stafford and the surrounding area, Ann Moore will never forget the help and support we provided for her husband in the last days of his life.

And that’s why Ann, aged 82, has included us in her will.

Ann’s husband, Roger, was 80 when he passed away in April 2017 following a long battle with cancer.

“Roger and I met at work. I was only 16 when we met at one of the work dances in the social club. It was a lovely time.

“Later in life, Roger was diagnosed with prostate cancer which had spread to his bones. He had undergone radiotherapy and chemotherapy but had been poorly for a long time.

“Towards the end, the doctor recommended respite care and put us in touch with Katharine House Hospice.

“All the family were allowed to be with him”

“Although, he went into the hospice, he was very reluctant and unfortunately, didn’t settle so we brought him home before he returned a couple of days later.

“One of the nurses called us to say they had kept him a bed which I thought was lovely.

“I remember all the family were allowed to be with him and one of his bowling friends came in to see him too. We had one of the best evenings we had had for a long time.

“Because Roger had a bite to eat it was amazing as he hadn’t been eating well at all. We were all telling jokes and laughing. It was very special.

“Unfortunately, as the week went on the realisation hit that he was very, very poorly. We knew this was major. He just wasn’t communicating with any of us anymore.

“Our sons, Oliver and Spencer, were talking to him but he wasn’t responding. We all told him how much we loved him.”

Sadly, Roger passed away at 9.20 that same evening.

“Roger was such a lovely man,” says Ann. “I miss him such a lot. He was a great husband a wonderful dad and a terrific golfer – he was gold.”

Last year, we provided free care to almost 2,000 families living with incurable illness across Mid-Staffordshire. Since we were founded 35 years ago, we have cared for more than 30,000 people. The service is free of charge and we rely on donations from the community.

“Everyone looked after him so beautifully and tenderly”

“Roger wasn’t in the hospice for very long but everyone was so kind and looked after him so beautifully and tenderly,” says Ann.

“I come to events at the hospice – such as the coffee morning in the Therapy & Wellbeing Centre – to show my support and appreciation for what the staff did for Roger and the help they provided in such a short space of time.

“Also, when I walk into the hospice it’s like walking into meditation – it’s so pure and has a lovely feeling.

“Katharine House Hospice is in my will because of the help and support you provided when I needed it most. I will never, ever forget what you did for Roger and us as a family.

“Because of that I will always be grateful.”

Learn about gifts in wills

Leaving a gift in your will

Leaving a gift in your will is one of the greatest differences you can make to help local people live as fully as they can in the time they have left.

We know that your first priority when making a will is to provide for your family and loved ones, but many people find that even after they’ve done this they can leave something to a cause they hold dear.

And it is one of the most valuable and lasting ways you can support local people in need of specialist hospice care and support. It costs nothing during your lifetime but will have a powerful impact for years to come.