DonateSupporting healthy futures for generations to come
Thank you for considering leaving Portsmouth Hospitals Charity a gift in your Will.
Gifts in Wills make a transformational and positive difference to the care Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust can provide for its patients and, to support the healthcare of future generations in the communities it serves.
Sheila's lasting legacy
Sheila Alford, who turned 100 in November 2024, sadly died in December 2024. She generously left a £1,000 legacy to the Breast Care Services here at QA Hospital.
Sheila was born in Winchester and grew up on a nearby farm. In the late 50’s she moved to Berlin, became an army officer’s wife, and heard tanks in Berlin as the Russians and Americans faced off at Checkpoint Charlie in the early 1960's. She also heard gunfire as East Germans were shot at when attempting to cross the Berlin Wall!
When Sheila moved back to the UK, she settled in Fareham with her husband and two children, Charlie and Sally. Sheila raised her children whilst also working in administration within the NHS and health centres.
In 2003, Sheila was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, at the age of 79. She had a single mastectomy, followed by a 5 year treatment with Tamoxifen. Because of this, Sheila had several hospital admissions, as well as admissions for her heart. Charlie tells us that Sheila was always tremendously grateful for the treatment and the support she received from the NHS in Portsmouth, particularly from the Breast Care Services.
Thanks to her treatment, Sheila got to live another 20 years, an inspiring story for women and girls who are facing a similar diagnosis and cancer treatment. Sheila spent the last 7 years in Hartwell Lodge in Fareham, where she was loved and respected as an elder, dispensing love, care, and support to the staff.
As per her wishes, Charlie and Sally have donated £1,000, in Sheila's name, to the Breast Care services. "Mum would be so thrilled to know that other women attending the clinic will be supported through this donation," Sally told us.
Here at Portsmouth Hospitals Charity, we are deeply grateful for the generosity of Sheila Alford. Her donation will support patients, staff, and visitors of our Breast Care Services here at QA Hospital.
How do I leave a legacy?
Leaving a legacy gift to Portsmouth Hospitals Charity in your Will is a wonderful way of supporting the Trust to drive excellence in care.
Please note that every gift makes a difference, whether it is:
a small percentage of your estate
(from 1% or up to 100% depending on your wishes and circumstances).
Or
an affordable sum.
They all make a difference to help enhanced patient care and support staff wellbeing.
How do I include Portsmouth Hospitals Charity in my Will?
We recommend you use a solicitor or professional Will writer to have your Will drafted. This cost can be modest, and it can also help to reduce the likelihood of your wishes being contest after you pass away.
If you do not have a professional advisor we can send you a list of local solicitors if this would help.
The full legal description that should be used to the describe the Charity in a Will is: Portsmouth Hospitals Charity, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3LY (Registered Charity no. 1047986)
Making a change to your Will
If you already have a Will, it is so easy nowadays to update it. All it takes is a quick call to your Will writer. Often a change can be added in a simple Letter of Wishes but it is important to take good legal advice.
How would you like your gift used? And the impact you can make
If you would like your gift used for a specific purpose close to your heart, please contact us to ensure we can fulfil your wish.
Every gift will impact on the health and well being of our local community whether the gift is for medical research, patient care or innovative medical equipment.
There is no obligation to inform us of your gift but we like to say thank you. So please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Contact Michelle either by email: michelle.
Portsmouth Hospitals Charity
Queen Alexandra Hospital
Cosham
Hampshire
PO6 3LY