Hospice Care Week: Alison’s Story

This year’s Hospice Care Week (5 – 11 October 2026) theme – Don’t leave hospice care to chance – is a reminder that while everyone deserves access to compassionate care and support right to the end, hospices are underfunded and under more pressure than ever.

Throughout the week, we’re sharing stories from across St Mary’s and introducing you to some of the people who make a difference – the people who don’t leave hospice care to chance.

Alison works with people who are considering leaving a gift in their Will to St Mary’s. Gifts in Wills are a vital source of income that helps St Mary’s ensure hospice care is there for generations to come.

Alison joined St Mary’s as temporary Head of Fundraising to cover maternity leave almost a decade ago. She had been involved with us for years prior, having managed Ford Park, the neighbouring park next to our main in-patient unit in Ulverston.

“Having got to know St Mary’s through my previous role, I jumped at the chance to be part of such a fantastic charity,” said Alison, who has held a number of roles since she first joined. “A driver in all the jobs I’ve ever done is about making a difference.

“My current role is a relatively new challenge, but an important one. A fifth of our work is funded thanks to the generosity of people who have left a gift in their Will. Unfortunately, we often only find out about gifts in Wills once someone has died. I want to connect with people who have pledged a gift so we can build a relationship and show them the impact their generosity will have. 

“There are so many ways people can connect with St Mary’s; volunteering, coming to the hospice to see our care in action, engaging with the community and meeting new people. Being part of the hospice can bring a lot of joy long before a gift would come into effect.”

Alison reiterates that while hospice care is often associated with the saddest times of life, fulfilment, hope and connection can be experienced in equal measures.

When asked what she finds most rewarding about her role, Alison said: “Everyone has the most fascinating story. Everyone has a life lived and being able to listen to these stories is a privilege.

“A recent example I can give is the story surrounding the generous gift left to us by the late Carol Edwards. Carol’s legacy funded a brand-new hospice car, which will ensure local people in rural areas can receive the care they need closer to home. I worked closely with the inspiring and dynamic women of the Grange-over-Sands Soroptimists to ensure Carol’s legacy was used in the right way. It was an honour and a joy to support with her wishes.”

For Alison, legacy giving is about looking ahead and making sure St Mary’s can continue to be there for local people who need it. It is one of the ways we can plan for the future, helping to make sure hospice care doesn’t have to be left to chance.