BLOG: Gifts in Wills do create brighter futures

Impacting the Alder Hey of the Future 

On Tuesday 2nd March, our long-time supporters logged in to hear updates about how their gifts are creating brighter futures for brave young patients.

Attendees heard from Professor Conor Mallucci, Senior Paediatric Neurosurgery Consultant, how an intraoperative MRI scanner is delivering the best possible patient experience at Alder Hey. This state-of-the -art piece of equipment, fully funded by the charity, is positively impacting the lives of children and their families from all over the world and has placed Alder Hey as a world leader in the use of this technology for children.

As Conor explained: “We published a paper that showed in 15% of brain tumours in all the children that we have operated on since the intraoperative MRI scanner we were able to do a complete resection- that’s 15% more lives saved… Alder Hey really was able to lead with this technology and it was something that could not have been achieved through any other route other than a charitable donation”.

With many people choosing to write and update their Wills as a way to donate to their favourite charities - more so during the pandemic - legal expert Mark Feeny from Brabners LLP gave a talk that covered key things to consider when writing a Will. Mark highlighted the importance of keeping a Will up-to-date and advised:  “If you were thinking of benefitting Alder Hey- or indeed any other charity- or friends or relatives, having a clear direction in your Will to achieve that is absolutely fundamental”.

Supporters heard how one of Alder Hey’s long-term supporters, Audrey Griffiths, was inspired to leave a gift in her Will having experienced the magic of Alder Hey during her lifetime. Audrey, a much-loved mother and aunty, died in 2020 at the age of 98 and left behind a legacy gift for children and young people at Alder Hey - one that is celebrated by her family today. Her daughter Elizabeth recalled:

“My mother thought carefully about her legacies…She was a remarkable person who is much missed by me and so many others whose lives she touched. She wanted to acknowledge the role played by clinicians in Alder Hey in helping not only our family but also in their support of Madog and his family”

Supporters of Alder Hey Children’s Charity can write their Wills for free using the charity’s Will writing service. For more information about Gifts in Wills, the impact they make at Alder Hey as well as how to write or amend your Will for free, visit our information page.

You can view the Webinar below.

For more information, email Emma Mochan, Individual Giving & Legacy Manager at [email protected] who will be happy to help.