Hospice supporter urges people to leave gifts in wills to Beaumond House, Newark, after losing husband

A widow is encouraging people to leave a gift in their will to a charity which cared for her husband in his final days.

Nicki Tranter’s late husband Gary was supported in his wish to die at home after a cancer diagnosis by Beaumond House Hospice Care, and she is now encouraging people to leave a gift to the charity in their will to help it continue its work.

She herself has pledged to leave a gift to Beaumond House in her will in memory of Gary.

Gary was diagnosed with throat and mouth cancer in August 2020 and, after undergoing a 14-hour surgical procedure, was given the news that he would need palliative care.

In February 2021, the Beaumond House Hospice at Home team began to care for Gary. He died just two days later, surrounded by his family.

Nicki said: “Gary was the man of my dreams. Our story began when he asked me out for a coffee, we got married in 1997 and then bought our first house together in Newark in 2002. We lived a very happy life.

“But in 2020 our lives were turned upside down when Gary received his diagnosis. He was so strong and brave during what I can only describe as a terrible time.

“For those two days that Gary was cared for by Beaumond House, the staff were amazing — it felt like the hospice had been part of mine and Gary’s life forever. His wish was to die in the safety of his own home and this happened because of Beaumond House, so I will be forever grateful to them.

“That’s why I’ve pledged to leave a gift to Beaumond House in my will — to say thank you for the support and care given to Gary and myself during that difficult time. I would encourage others to do the same, to allow the charity to continue its vital work.”

The charity is currently working with five solicitors to offer its supporters the opportunity to make or update their will for free.

The offer is part of the charity’s year-long Legacy campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of gifts in wills to the survival of hospices.

Supporters are able to make face-to-face appointments with solicitors from Ringrose Law, Clare Newton Solicitor, APT Legal, Tallents Solicitors, and Bird and Co Solicitors, to be supported to either make a new will or amend an existing one.

Andrea Ward, individual giving fundraising manager at Beaumond House Hospice Care, said: “We’re so grateful to Nicki for her support — by leaving a gift in her will, she is helping us to continue offering supportive palliative care and to be here for future generations.

“It costs around £2.2m to deliver our services every year and around £1.6m of this must be raised through things like donations, shops and local businesses. Gifts in wills are extremely valuable to us and last year, one in four of our patients were cared for thanks to these kinds of donations.”

To find out more about the legacy campaign or make an appointment with a participating solicitor visit the hospice website.