When faced with the reality of having an incurable illness, you need the best care possible. St Luke's Hospice Plymouth provides that care to hundreds of people a year from throughout Devon and Cornwall.

"We as a family are deeply grateful for all you did for my Dad and for us too. I'm sure that when Dad reached heaven he would have hardly noticed the difference."

Simple but moving words from the son of a former patient of St Luke's Hospice. He spoke them after witnessing at first hand the dedication and care his much loved father had received at the hospice during the course of a long illness and subsequently at the end of his life.

At St Luke's Hospice there is a shared vision, the belief that all patients should be treated with dignity and given choice whilst at the same time benefiting from the very best in palliative and end of life care. The approach to caring at St Luke's is holistic and aims to support the whole person and family.

Alongside the twenty-four hour nursing care and specialist medical treatment, many other needs are supported. Emotional and spiritual support is available through the St Luke’s Social Work Team and the Hospice Chaplaincy.

In addition, patients and their carers can also benefit from complementary therapies such as Reiki or Aromatherapy, which help to promote relaxation and a feeling of wellbeing. This, along with home-cooked food prepared on the premises, a relaxed atmosphere, homely comfortable surroundings and stunning views, all enable the patient to make the most of the life to be lived bringing relief from pain and other distressing symptoms.

Many patients will visit the hospice several times during the course of their illness to receive respite care or to have their pain and symptoms stabilised. The average stay normally lasts for around ten days after which the majority of patients will be able to return home again. A smaller number of patients choose to end their days in peace and dignity at the hospice safe in the knowledge that their pain will be kept under control and their loved ones will be cared for by dedicated people who are passionate about what they do.

Statistics show that the number of people living with life limiting illnesses is increasing year on year and therefore the need for high quality specialist palliative care like that given at St Luke's also increases. St Luke's Hospice is a registered charity so patients are never charged for the care they receive. Sadly the Government funds less than 30 per cent of the hospice's annual £5m running costs so fundraising to keep the hospice open is a constant challenge.

One of the most important sources of voluntary income for St Luke’s Hospice is from donations made by people in their wills. By leaving a legacy to St Luke's Hospice, you will be helping to secure the future of the Hospice for generations to come.

Leaving a legacy to a charity such as St Luke's is not difficult to arrange yet its impact will be long lasting and gifts to charitable organisations are exempt from tax. You can pledge a fixed amount, a proportion of your estate or a special gift.

If you do not already have a will, a solicitor can arrange to draw one up for a small charge. If you do, your solicitor can add a short statement called a codicil to make an adjustment.

As a charity St Luke's is highly dependent on the continuing support and generosity of the local community because without that support the Hospice simply wouldn't exist. If you feel that you would like to help St Luke's please ask for a leaflet with more information on how to leave a gift in your will. Alternatively, contact Andrew Armstrong, major gifts fundraiser at St Luke's on 01752 492626 or email: andrew.Armstrong@stlukes-hospice.org.uk or visit: www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk