Milton Keynes-based Willen Hospice has warned that rising demand for palliative care is intensifying pressure on its £9.6 million annual charity funding requirement, placing renewed emphasis on legacy giving as a cornerstone of long-term financial planning.
The independent hospice, which supports around 1,000 local people each year, receives just 12.7% of its ongoing funding from the NHS. As a result, Willen Hospice must raise the remaining income through community support, retail activity and legacy giving.
Demand for palliative care is projected to increase by 25% by 2048. Consequently, sustainable charity funding models are becoming critical to protecting frontline services across Milton Keynes.
Kate Broadhurst, Chief Executive at Willen Hospice, said the organisation must plan carefully to safeguard future provision. She said rising patient numbers, increasing operational costs and limited statutory funding mean long-term financial planning is essential. “With only a small proportion of our income coming from the NHS, we have to think strategically about sustainability. Legacy giving provides vital financial stability and helps ensure we can continue delivering specialist palliative care across Milton Keynes for generations to come.”
Nationally, gifts left in Wills fund the equivalent of 400,000 nights of hospice care each year. For Willen Hospice, legacy giving currently supports care for one in every 11 patients.
However, the organisation says more awareness is needed. Willen Hospice is backing Hospice UK’s ‘This is Hospice Care’ campaign, which encourages supporters to consider leaving a charitable gift as part of their financial planning.
Fiz Johnson, Legacy Manager at Willen Hospice, said legacy giving allows supporters to make a meaningful contribution without affecting their finances today. She added that charitable legacies can also form part of wider estate and financial planning conversations, including potential inheritance tax benefits.
Importantly, the issue extends beyond fundraising. Sustainable charity funding underpins workforce stability, service development and long-term healthcare resilience in Milton Keynes. Without diversified income streams, independent providers face increasing financial strain as demographic pressures grow.
By positioning legacy giving within broader financial planning discussions, Willen Hospice aims to secure predictable income that protects local palliative care services well into the future.
To find out more or request a free copy of the Willen Hospice Gifts in Wills guide, visit willen-hospice.org.uk/legacies.
