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New data from Hospice UK reveals that gifts in Wills are the essential lifeline keeping the nation’s hospices open, funding the equivalent of 400,000 nights of hospice care every year.
Thames Hospice is proud to join over 120 hospices across the country for the second year of the "This is Hospice Care" campaign. We are urging our community to consider leaving a gift in their Will to ensure that expert, compassionate care is available for generations to come.
The growing need for care
The importance of hospice care is undeniable. Last year alone, UK hospices supported 310,000 people facing terminal illness. However, the pressure is mounting:
- Rising Demand: Demand for palliative care is set to jump by 25% by 2048.
- Beyond the Ward: 82% of hospice care now takes place outside of inpatient units, including in people’s homes and the local community.
- Funding Gaps: On average, only 40% of hospice care is government-funded. Nationally, hospices must raise over £3.8 million every single day to keep services running.
At Thames Hospice, these legacy gifts are a cornerstone of our funding, currently paying for one in five of our inpatient beds.
"Thames Hospice is powered by the very community we serve. Whether we are helping a partner provide care at home, supporting a child through grief, or guiding friends on how to help, our work is only possible because of the kindness of others." — Rachael de Caux, Chief Executive at Thames Hospice
The gift of time
The true impact of this funding is found in the stories of the families we support. Duncan was admitted to Thames Hospice in July 2025 with Stage 4 cancer. When he arrived, he was unable to walk or eat.
Through the dedicated support of our clinical and physiotherapy teams, Duncan regained enough strength to return home for several months, allowing him to create precious, lasting memories with his family. His son, Sam, saw the transformation firsthand:
"Seeing someone suffering so seriously in the hospital and how he was, and then gradually coming back to being dad again—it takes a while to get your head around, but it’s amazing. To have that time with him, and for him to have that time with his family, meant everything."
How you can help
By choosing to remember Thames Hospice in your Will, you are helping to secure the future of end-of-life care in our community. We currently offer our supporters year-round free Wills. Our free Wills service is available to support you in making or updating your Will at a time that’s convenient for you. Find out more here.