£40,000 legacy to care for patients at end of life
A legacy of £40,000 has been left to local charity Treetops Hospice Care to provide end of life nursing care for patients at home.
The generous legacy was left by Margaret Futer, from Long Eaton who died in June last year aged 84yrs.
Treetops, based in Risley, provides emotional support and nursing care for adults with life limiting conditions, those who’ve been bereaved, and their families. Last year the hospice supported over 1,800 adults with life-limiting conditions living in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
An only child with no children of her own, Margaret moved to Long Eaton to care for her father when he became ill, staying on after he died and his house was gifted to her.
Margaret’s close friend and neighbour, and Treetops volunteer, Janet Hulse, 72, from Long Eaton explained more:
“Margaret was an engineering designer during her working life, she loved amateur dramatics and loved nature. She was very shy and timid, but a strong-minded lady and was so important in my life for several years.
“Margaret had early onset Alzheimer’s so her husband became her carer and occasionally he’d come and ask me to help with more personal care. He passed away, so I took over the reins for over three years.
“I arranged some more carers and helped too but when she became really, really poorly, I couldn’t cope.
“Margaret went into a nursing home for professional care and we spent many happy hours in her room talking and watching the television. We talked about Treetops and what I do here as a volunteer.
“Her cousin encouraged her to make arrangements for the future such as her funeral, her Will and Power of Attorney which she did.
“She left £40,000 to Treetops and other gifts to several other small, local groups and charities – she would be so pleased to know she has helped so many.”
Janet has been a volunteer for the hospice for over five years with roles including welcoming visitors on the hospice reception, helping at Car Boot Sales and Christmas Fairs and she currently provides the Treetops Lottery with admin support.
Margaret’s legacy will go towards the Treetops Hospice at Home Service, providing nurses to care for patients at the end of life in their own homes. Hospice at Home nurses and health care assistants care for patients overnight so carers can get a good night’s sleep, and during the day to provide much needed respite.
The legacy has come as Treetops launch their first Make a Will Month, encouraging people to make or update their Will during March in return for a donation to the hospice.
Julie Walker, trusts and in-memory fundraiser, said:
“We’re so grateful to Margaret for her generous legacy to the charity. It means we can continue to offer many more hours of nursing care for patients who wish to die at home, and invaluable support for their carers in their darkest times.
“Your Will is one of the most important documents you will ever sign and it ensures that your estate and possessions can be distributed as you wish. It gives peace of mind and security, not just for you, but for your loved ones.
“There is no obligation to leave a gift to Treetops in your Will, but any legacy we receive – just like the one we’ve received from Margaret – helps to ensure we can care for more patients and their loved ones for years to come.”
Treetops services include Support and Information, Wellbeing Space, Hospice at Home nurses and Therapeutic Services including counselling, art therapy and complementary therapy.
