All about bequests

GOOD ADVICE when making your Will
Your Will is one of the most important documents you will prepare and sign in your lifetime. Regardless of individual circumstances, anyone over the age of eighteen should have a valid Will. There are many formalities consituting a valid Will and this document should always be drawn up with expert guidance e.g. a lawyer or financial advisor. Bear in mind these guidelines:
•	A codicil varies the terms of a Will - such as adding a clause - and is subject to the same formalities as a Will.
•	When preparing your will, prepare a list of your assets, including property, jewellery, investments, insurance policies, shares, etc.
•	Nominate the Executor of your Estate to fulfil the terms of your Will.
•	Decide which individuals and organisations are to beneift from your Will.
•	Ensure that, if you have a family, an interim amount is immediately available to them in cash to tide them over the period needed to wind-up your Estate.
•	It is important to appoint a guardian in the case of minor children.
•	Your Will is a highly confidential document and should at all times be kept locked away in a safe place, which is known to you and your family.
•	Changes to a Will must, by law, be witnessed to prevent the possibility of invalidating the Will.
•	A will needs to be updated in keeping with changing life circumstances.
	This provides broad guidelines only regarding the preparation of your Will. A Will is an important personal document for which expert legal and financial advice should be sought.

HOW your gift could be used
Some people prefer to make a gift to our hospice simply because they know and understand the value of and vital need for our work in the community. Others prefer to specify an area where they feel their gift would best be used. The following are simply suggestions as to some of the ways your gift of a Bequest to Hospice East Rand could be used to make a difference:
•	for capital expenditure e.g. building, mini-bus, etc.
•	in support of a home-care nursing sister, who visits up to 8 patients in her care daily.
•	to support a patient or patients with no personal means of support.
•	to support our Day Care Centre which offers facilities for active patients.
•	for our outreach into disadvantaged communities.
•	to support our 24-hour care In-Patient Unit.
•	to further the educational programmes of our Hospice Training Centre.
Such legacies are tax-deductible in terms of Section 18(a) of the Income Tax Act.

The joy of giving...

Let them know you care

" You matter because you are
You matter until the very last moment of your life
And we will do all we can
Not only to help you die peacefully
But to live until you die."

Those who face terminal and progressive disease walk a road which, for them and those they love, can be bewildering, lonely and rather frightening. And it's at this time in their lives that they need to know that they are important to us, that they matter – and that they matter until the very last moment of their lives.

More than at any other time in their lives, it's important for them to share a special moment to see a sunrise, watch the rain, to hear the laughter of a beloved child.

And to know that Hospice is there to care for them and their loved ones. Hospice understands: we're there to listen, to assist practically and provide expert palliative care and, above all, to improve in every way we can the quality of life of those who turn to us in their hour of need. These are the cornerstones of our philosophy.

Your gift to Hospice in your Will can be the gift of life to many who need our support. It can light their dark road and bring joy and meaning into their lives in so many ways.

And, if you wish to specify how and where you want your money used, we'd be happy to discuss this with you.

A gift to hospice means quality of life

Since we began our services in 1986, many thousands of terminally ill people and their loved ones have felt the benefits of Hospice care and support - it has made a meaningful difference in the quality of their lives. And, since that time, we have had to rely entirely on the support and generosity of the communities we serve to continue our services.

Your gift of a Bequest would make a meaningful contribution towards fulfilling our commitment to those who turn to us in their hour of need.

How you can let your will live on
beyond your lifetime

There are many ways in which you could help ensure the continuation of hospice care in your Will

by making a Bequest for a specific sum.

by leaving a percentage of your Estate to Hospice East Rand.

by specifying that the residue of your Estate or a portion of the residue after other commitments have been met, comes to our hospice. In this manner you make ample provision for others you wish to remember in your Will.

by naming Hospice East Rand as the beneficiary of an existing or new insurance policy.

Your lawyer or financial adviser should be asked to ensure that a clause or clauses appropriate to the Bequest you wish to make is included in your Will.

Your gift will live on

Wherever a bequest, large or small, is given to hospice for a specific purpose, the wishes of the benefactor are respected.

We'd like to be able to say thank you
for caring so much

It is always sad for us when a Bequest is left to hospice that we were not informed of beforehand. While some people do prefer things to be this way, others let us know beforehand and we are fortunately able to say our thank yous to them and even discuss how they would like their money to be used.

How nice it is to be able to say "thank you so much" and to let you know how much your gift is appreciated.