Sunderland hospice overwhelmed by six-figure donation through man's will

St Benedict’s Hospice in Ryhope has been gifted more than £146,000 through the local benefactor after he gifted the cash through his will.

After the team researched the charity’s database, it was found the gift had been made by a gentleman who had been a regular donor to the hospice and who had sadly died last year.

Records showed that for a number of years he had made regular donations in memory of his late wife but unbeknown to the hospice fundraising team he had chosen to write the hospice into his will, with a gift of one half of the residue of his estate.

On settlement of that estate, Sunderland-based solicitors Brian Mackenow and Co passed on the legacy to the charity with a letter saying that their client had wished for the money to be given to the hospice to carry on the great work they do for the people of Sunderland.

Catrina Flynn, head of fundraising operations at St Benedict’s, said: “It was a wonderful surprise to receive this generous gift from a gentleman who obviously felt such affection for the hospice as he gave so regularly for a number of years in memory of his wife.

“For him to think of supporting the hospice in this way after his death is so kind.

“A legacy gift of this size, one of the largest the charity has ever received, is mindblowing and will be used in so many ways throughout the entire hospice service but in particular it will help us to support provision of our wellness services for patients and their families, such as complementary therapy and art psychotherapy and our range of bereavement services that support children, young people and adults.”

St Benedict’s Hospice in Sunderland offers care, advice and support for patients, and their families, who have a life-limiting illness and runs a series of shops and events to help support its work.