St Margaret's Hospice has launched a new campaign to help protect hospice care for future generations in Somerset.

The campaign, titled Your Gift, Is Our Future, aims to highlight the importance of legacy fundraising—the act of remembering a charity in your will.

Research shows that 51 per cent of adults do not have a will, but making one that includes a gift to a charity is a powerful way to support causes close to you.

St Margaret's Hospice sees the impact of this generosity first-hand, as one in three of their patients are currently funded thanks to gifts in wills.

The hospice has supported families across Somerset for more than 40 years and is committed to ensuring they can continue to provide care for anyone who needs it in the future.

The new campaign shares stories of people whose end-of-life journeys were made more positive thanks to the care provided through gifts in wills.

One such story is that of David and Lynda, who turned to St Margaret’s during a challenging period in their lives.

David, a retired dentist, was diagnosed with prostate cancer just before he and Lynda were set to embark on a dream trip to New York.

As David’s health worsened, they reached out to St Margaret’s Hospice for help, and community nurse specialist, Angie, became a lifeline for the family.

Lynda said: "It was like nectar from heaven—help was here."

Linda and David together in New York (Image: St Margaret's Hospice) Angie helped ensure David could remain at home while managing his pain and providing comfort to his loved ones.

David’s greatest wish was to walk his daughter, Delia, down the aisle at her wedding.

With the help of St Margaret’s, he was able to attend the wedding and deliver a heartfelt speech.

Lynda said: "Thanks to St Margaret’s, David didn’t just attend our daughter’s wedding; he danced with us all night.

"I will forever be grateful for those memories."

David passed away a month after the wedding, but the family was able to celebrate together one last time.

The family were able to celebrate together one last time (Image: St Margaret's Hospice) Kim Gaylard, who works alongside supporters who have pledged gifts to St Margaret’s, said: "Leaving a gift in your will, no matter how big or small, allows us to keep providing this essential care for families like David’s.

"It’s an act of kindness that ensures future generations can rely on us when they need it most.

"Your gift is our future, and with it, we can continue creating these moments of joy and dignity."

St Margaret’s Hospice care is provided free of charge to everyone who requires it.

However, as the population ages, the demand on their services is growing, while resources available to fund hospices are becoming more stretched.

The charity must raise more than £10 million each year to support free hospice care for families in the Somerset community.

For more information on how to leave a gift in your will, visit st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/wills.