Hazel’s story: Why she left a gift to Pilgrims in her will

Hazel Hayward’s passion for  Pilgrims Hospices was driven behind a lifetime career of nursing. She began volunteering in one of the first fundraising teams at Pilgrims in 1991; she aided in raising vital funds to build a brand new hospice in the Isle of Thanet.

In 1992 the first patients were admitted and Hazel continued to fundraise, spending her time manning stalls all year round at numerous local fairs.

Mary Annett, friend of Hazel Hayward said: “I first met Hazel when I was a nurse at the hospice; I remember her coming in with a bag of money one Monday morning having just spent a particularly cold and wet weekend at a fair in St. Nicholas, selling hospice bookmarks and telephone pads.

“She was incredibly cheerful and so happy to be playing her part in keeping the hospice running.

“Hazel had very kindly decided to leave Pilgrims a gift in her Will, with the hospice playing a major part in Hazel’s life during her retirement.

“When she wasn’t out in the community fundraising, or collecting giant cheques from local organisations, she dedicated her time to making different items that could be sold to raise vital funds.

She was incredibly cheerful and so happy to be playing her part in keeping the hospice running.

Mary Annett

“This was well recognised, as in 2002 she was awarded a certificate of merit for outstanding service to her local community. Hazel leaving a gift in her Will means her devotion to Pilgrims can carry on, even after she has gone.”

When Hazel’s memory started to deteriorate, her kind-hearted friends took her under their wing to look after her nearing the end. They will always remember Hazel to have never lost her sense of humour. Hazel spent her last moments in a local Nursing Home and was provided with excellent care and the comfort she deserved after a lifetime of serving others.

By leaving a gift in your will to Pilgrims Hospices, you’ll help to ensure that each person in east Kent with an incurable illness receives the right care where and when they need it.

Download our booklet for more information or contact the team directly:

Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 4,000 people in east Kent coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity supports patients to live well in mind and body until the very end. To offer these services, Pilgrims must raise approximately £11 million each year from the generous local community.

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