“Being able to give something back in my Will was immensely cathartic”
Fiona Riordan wanted to do something to help Marie Curie after her mother Mary, was cared for in our Belfast hospice. However, the chance for Fiona to make a difference eventually came from an unexpected source.
“My connection with Marie Curie began many years ago when two of my aunts were nursed by Marie Curie. The charity became a part of my life again more directly three years ago, when my mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer and was nursed in the Marie Curie Hospice, Belfast.
During this time, I was able to see first-hand the fantastic work that’s carried out within the hospice. This wasn’t just the care given by the doctors and nurses, but the support offered by the reception staff and the volunteers who were always on hand to offer a kind word or a cup of tea.
A few months after the passing of my mum, I became more involved with the charity when I was asked to join the South Belfast Fundraising Group. Surprisingly this turned out to be just what I needed to deal with my mum’s death.
I took some time to think about what I wanted to get out of the group and how best to thank Marie Curie. I decided I needed some sort of target…when I thought about my Mum’s care I realised that it cost the charity around £10,000…well that was it, the figure was in my head and I decided that I would aim to raise that amount for Marie Curie.
Fast-forward three (3) years and I’m delighted to say that the group has raised more than £40,000. There is no way I could have achieved this on my own. The South Belfast Fundraising Group is made up of an amazing bunch of people, and it was only thanks to everyone pulling together that we were able to reach such an amazing figure. Being able to give something back in my will was immensely cathartic.
Through my work I was introduced to Eimear McCooey, who is a Legacy Advisor for Marie Curie. Through Eimear, I was offered a free Will through Marie Curie’s partnership with the Free Wills Network. Initially I thought that I must surely be too young to make a will, but then I realised this is not the case, and at the grand age of 40 I decided to make one.
I received my pack which gave a list of solicitors to choose from, and then I went to see my chosen solicitor and discussed in detail what I wanted. It was so simple and stress free, and in getting everything sorted, I was able to leave a gift in my will for Marie Curie.
A gift can be as big or small as you wish and doesn’t even have to be monetary. You can choose to leave clothes or belongings to go to one of the many Marie Curie shops, which will in turn raise money for the charity and enable it to deliver its nursing service in its hospice and across Northern Ireland.
Many people feel that it’s depressing and morbid to make a will at a relatively young age; however I feel it necessary and realistic. When the process is made so easy with the Free Wills Network, I think it’s important that everybody should do this regardless of your age.”
A gift left in your Will can help make sure that Marie Curie can be there for even more people living with a terminal illness. To find out more, and to learn about our free Will-writing scheme, visit their website.
