REMEMBERING Springhill Hospice in your will is a way to ensure its essential work continues.

Legacies are an important source of income to meet the hospice’s running costs – currently £6,500 a day.

Statistics show, however, that only three out of every 10 people actually get round to making a will.

Hospice fund-raising manager Ian Jenkins  said: “Without a will, those you leave behind could be faced with confusion, delay and legal problems – and your money may not go where you want it to.

“Obviously you have to look after your loved ones first, but if your estate is worth more than £312,000, or £614,000 for a couple, those loved ones will have to pay 40 per cent inheritance tax.

“As any legacy left to charity is free of tax, if your gift reduces the value of your taxable estate enough to bring it below the threshold, it will no longer be liable for inheritance tax.”

Sir Cyril Smith is one of the people who has already done this. He said: “Rochdale folk are generous and caring people and Springhill Hospice is a permanent testimonial to their generosity. Keep it going, remember your hospice in your will – I have.”

So, too, have John and Shirley Pickett, who have been connected with Springhill since they both retired in 1997.

Shirley works in the charity’s Yorkshire Street shop while John, a former director of the NSPCC’s children’s services department, gives his time and experience to the fund-raising team. They said: “The skill and caring of the hospice is a great comfort to so many, we must all help to keep it going.”

Geoff Gardiner, former managing director of Gardiner Technology, passed away in 2008 and left a substantial legacy which was used to pay for a new kitchen as part of the recent refurbishment project.

His son, Lee, said: “My Dad felt passionate about the work of the hospice and after he retired in 2001 he wanted to put something back into the community.

“Dad was a great one for rewarding people for their efforts and I knew before he died that he was leaving a legacy to the hospice.”

Christine Webb, chief executive of the hospice, added, “If and when the time is right for you to consider leaving a gift to charity in your will, please remember us.”

For further information and advice, contact the fund-raising team at Springhill on 649920.