Make a Will

INTRODUCTION

As a charity, we Support Life. And that’s why we believe it’s really important to plan for the future. Planning helps to take the worry and fear out of what might happen so we can focus on what is really important to us.

Making a will isn’t an easy thing to think about. It can be a daunting prospect…and not many people discuss their future plans. Some people don’t know where to start. Some people think it is expensive. Some think they don’t need a will. Someone people don’t know what will happen if they don’t hold a valid will. We want to change that.

We want to make will writing easy and accessible for our community, our supporters, our patients and their families.  

That’s why we have partnered with local solicitors and an online will writing service who are offering our supporters a free basic will throughout the year.

WHY WRITE A WILL & KEEP IT UPDATED?

Research has shown that more than half of UK adults don’t have a will. But having a will is the only way you can ensure that your family and friends, and any charities you care about, are provided for in the way you wish.

If you don’t write a will, your estate may not be distributed as you wish.

Having a will provides you with peace of mind – and it makes things much easier for your loved ones in the future.

As life changes around you, it’s worth taking a little bit of time to check whether your will is up to date. Important changes in your life could mean you need to write your first will, or make changes to your existing one. Milestones such as getting married, buying a house or becoming a parent are all really good reasons people choose to write a will.

FREE WILL WRITING SERVICE - HOW IT WORKS

Throughout the year, we will partner with a number of local solicitors, who will offer to write a basic will for you - free of charge. Every three-months, the solicitors will change, meaning you always have a choice about who you choose. It also means that our Make a Will campaign is open throughout the year, so you can choose the right time to start planning for the future.

MAKING A GIFT IN YOUR WILL

Will you leave a lasting legacy for future generations by remembering The Kirkwood?

We know that making a will is a big decision, and we understand taking care of your family and loved ones first is the most important thing.

After you have remembered those you care about, we hope you will also remember The Kirkwood.

A gift in your will can come in all different shapes and sizes. Every gift makes a real difference.

Whatever the size of your gift, you will be helping The Kirkwood to be here for anyone affected by a life limiting illness in Kirklees, every step of the way. Thanks to you, our dedicated team will continue to provide the best possible care for our patients, their families and those that care for them. 

GIFTS IN WILLS FUND THE CARE OF 1 IN 3 PATIENTS 

(Total donations in 2019)

Every single gift left in a will makes such a difference to us. In fact, so much so that the generosity of individuals who remembered The Kirkwood by leaving a legacy to the charity helps us to fund around 1/3 of our charitable costs.

You can read about the different types of gifts you could leave here

OUR PROMISE TO YOU

We understand that choosing to leave a gift in your will is a big decision, and we will be honoured if you choose to Support Life by helping The Kirkwood.

In return for your support, we promise we will:

• Commit to making a difference to families at a time in their lives they need it most
• Use your gift wisely and efficiently in the interest of our patients and their families
• Handle any gift you make with care, sensitivity and respect
• Always respect your privacy
• Keep you updated about the impact you are helping to make (as long as you’re happy to hear from us)

“Gifts in wills enable us to continue providing the best possible care and support to patients and their families when they really need us. Your kind support helps us to make the time people have left, however long this may be, as meaningful as possible. I’m so grateful to those who remember The Kirkwood in their wills.” Sonia Tyndall, Sister, The Kirkwood

MAKE A DONATION

Once you have started the will writing process with your chosen solicitor – or completed your online will – we would be delighted if you considered making a donation to The Kirkwood. You might consider donating the cost of a will in normal circumstances, or whatever you can manage.

You can make your donation here. Alternatively, you can make a donation over the phone by calling our Fundraising team on 01484 557 911. 

Frequently Asked Questions

We know writing a will can be a daunting prospect. That's why we want to make will writing easy and accessible for everyone, so we've prepared a number of handy guides to help you get started (including a glossary of terms to help you navigate the legal terminology you'll sometimes come across):

• Glossary of Terms
• Things to Consider When Making Your Will
• Types of Gifts