Local couple remembers Willen Hospice wedding for Valentine’s Day

When Olivia was told that her Mum might not live long enough to be at her Wedding, she was devastated. That’s when the incredible staff at Willen Hospice came together to bring her wedding to Willen Hospice, just so her Mum could be there.

Olivia Lowen said, “On the Saturday, the day of the wedding, the nurses had decorated the conservatory at Willen Hospice and it was unrecognisable, it actually looked like a wedding venue. They’d put up bunting with our names on it, set all the chairs up so there was an aisle, there was a lectern, and they even sorted a buffet for all of our guests.  It also transpired that some of the nurses had come in on their days off to help get Mum ready, making sure that she was as pain free as possible so she could enjoy the day.

Everyone who came to the wedding said they’d never been to a wedding where there was that much love in the room. Everybody’s got those memories now, and we couldn’t have had them if it wasn’t for the Willen staff giving their time, and thinking to do it in the first place. I’m really honoured to have ‘Married at Willen Hospice’ on our marriage certificate.”

Precious moments like this are only possible thanks to the generous donations Willen Hospice receives. This February, as many people celebrate Valentines Day, the charity are asking the community of Milton Keynes to reflect and consider their affections towards their local Hospice and understand how their support can leave a lasting legacy of love.

During the Legacy of Love campaign, the charity will be sharing stories from local families who have experienced the transformative care and love that Willen Hospice provides. These include Shaun and Theresa, who were given three more years together thanks to a vigilant Willen Hospice Lymphoedema nurse, and David Pratt, who is leaving his home to Willen Hospice as a ‘thank you’ for the care his mother received in 1994.

Legacy giving, or Gifts in Wills, is one of the most heartfelt, and generous acts someone can do to support the Hospice. To raise awareness, the charity will be sharing useful articles about Gifts in Wills, stories from pledgers like David Pratt, and inviting local people to request the charity’s new, comprehensive Gifts in Wills guide.

Fiz Johnson, Willen Hospice Legacy Officer, said “Our Legacy of Love campaign will showcase stories that really stay with you, reminding us how lucky we are to have Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes.

“As a charity, we receive only 15% of ongoing funding from the NHS, while the inspiring individuals who leave a gift in their Will, help to fund an incredible 20% of our voluntary income. We simply couldn’t be here without those amazing people and their decision to remember Willen Hospice in their Will, leaving their own Legacy of Love so we can be there for local families in years to come.”

Visit www.willen-hospice.org.uk/LegacyofLove to read Olivia and Dan’s full story, and to find out more about the campaign and legacy giving.