A National campaign has been launched to help raise awareness of legacies left in wills to Hospices.

Hospice UK is building a ground-breaking national campaign to raise vital awareness of legacy giving for local hospices.

143 hospices joined the campaign in its first year, raising a campaign budget of £1,004,000.

The centrepiece of the campaign will be a powerful national TV advert that it will inspire viewers to leave a gift in their will to their local hospice.

Last year, legacies and gifts in wills helped Teesside Hospice care for 69 people in their specialist In-Patient Unit.

Funding remains a challenge for many hospices across the nation, but legacy income is an important and growing source of funding.

Charities, especially hospices like Teesside Hospice, have an enormous opportunity to attract a significant amount of this legacy income.

Your gift to Teesside Hospice could help fund:

• Essential training to frontline hospice staff caring for people at the end of life.

• Make sure those who are currently missing out can get hospice care by working with the government to ensure that hospice, palliative and end of life care stays high on their agenda.

• Respond to a family in their time of need, helping them get the support, guidance and care they need.

• Improve hospice care by giving hospice staff the resources and tools they need to better care for people.

• Support carers in the community looking after people in their own homes at the end of their life.

Preparing a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect the future of those you love.

By putting your wishes in writing, you ensure that your family is cared for, your assets are distributed as you intend, and charities close to your heart are supported.

At Teesside Hospice, it costs £6 million annually to run their services – that’s almost £17,000 every 24 hours.

Last year, they received £897,100 in legacies, which equates to 14 percent of their income donated by people leaving a gift in their will.

No matter the size of the gift, it will have a vital impact on the hospice’s work.

The legacy will enable them to continue to fight for hospice care in the UK, ensuring that people in Teesside can die with dignity, surrounded by the best care.

Nationally, 1 in 3 people are still dying without the care and support they need at the end of life.

Teesside Hospice needs your help to do more for our community, ensuring everyone who reaches the end of their life in Teesside receives the best possible care and support.

Throughout February, they’ll be sharing stories and info about the campaign and how you can get involved on their social media channels.

If you have any questions about leaving a gift to Teesside Hospice in your will, please contact their team at 01642 811140 and register your interest today.

Website:www.teessidehospice.org