“Rowans Hospice provided First Class care which we could not fault at all.”
A photo of the last time Gordon, his brothers, mum, and dad were all together. From left to right, Dad (Colin), Les, Mum (Phyllis), Gordon, and brother Andrew.
At Rowans Hospice, we care for patients and their families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. The generosity of those who choose to leave a gift in their Will ensures that we can continue providing expert, compassionate care for generations to come.
We recently spoke with Gordon White who kindly shared the story of his family’s connection with Rowans Hospice and why two generations of his family have chosen to leave a legacy gift to support our work.
Gordon’s parents were long-time supporters of Rowans Hospice, having been care working themselves, their connection with us began over 30 years ago when an adult in their care became unwell and needed end-of-life care. Our care left a lasting impression, enough so that in 2016, when Gordon’s father was diagnosed with leukaemia he chose to spend his final days in our care.
After time in hospital, where staff were overstretched, Gordon’s father was transferred to Rowans Hospice. The difference was profound. Here, he found not only expert care but dignity, peace, and warmth in his final days.
Gordon recalls a particularly special moment – the early morning call from a nurse inviting the family to say their goodbyes. The staff’s compassion extended beyond his father’s passing, supporting the family and ensuring his final wishes were honoured in our Chapel of Rest.
“Rowans Hospice provided First Class care which we could not fault at all.”
Deeply touched by the care her husband received, Gordon’s mother, Phyllis, chose to leave a gift in her Will to Rowans. Sadly, she died in summer 2024, and true to her wishes, left a generous gift for Rowans Hospice.
While sorting through her belongings, Gordon found a list of items she also wanted to donate, including a gold-plated cutlery canteen, which will be auctioned to raise further funds for the Hospice.
Inspired by his mother’s generosity, Gordon has now included a gift in his own Will, continuing a family tradition of giving, and he and his mother also donated a large Christmas tree to brighten the hospice reception. For their family, Rowans Hospice was more than just a place of care; it was a place of love, dignity, and support.
Gifts in Wills fund vital services at Rowans. Last year alone, they covered the cost of running our In-patient Unit—enabling care for 384 people.
Every legacy gift, no matter the size, helps ensure that we can continue to be there for local families when they need us most. If you have already written your Will and included a gift to Rowans Hospice, we would love to hear from you so we can say thank you and keep you updated on how gifts in Wills are making a difference to the care we are able to provide.
If you would like to learn more about leaving a gift to Rowans Hospice in your Will, contact our Legacy Manager on legacyadmin@rowanshospice.co.uk or visit our website page.