Free Will Service

A legacy gift will provide an important and valuable source of support and income for Dorset County Hospital Charity so we can continue to make a difference.

To help enable you to leave a gift to your local hospital, we have teamed up with Kitson & Trotman solicitors to provide a free Will-writing service. This means you can have your Will written, or updated, at no cost to you and with no obligation.

What do I need to do?

Complete our Free Will Service Registration Form and return by email or post to our address below:
Email: jodi.hibbard@dchft.nhs.uk
Dorset County Hospital Charity, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 2JY
Please choose from our participating Kitson & Trotman offices who are offering a Free Will Service in association with Dorset County Hospital Charity. We will also send a copy of your Registration Form to your chosen solicitor as part of your registration.
Contact the Kitson & Trotman office of your choice to make an appointment.

Your solicitor will waive their usual fee and invite you to make a donation to Dorset County Hospital Charity. You can give as much or as little as you like, though this isn’t compulsory.

Free Will Service Participating Kitson & Trotman offices:

Kitson & Trotman Solicitors
The Champions
Beaminster
DT8 3AN

Tel: 01308 862313
Email: beaminster@ktlaw.co.uk

Kitson & Trotman Solicitors
9 Chancery Lane
Bridport
DT6 3PX

Tel: 01308 427436
Email: bridport@ktlaw.co.uk

Kitson & Trotman Solicitors
Lyme Regis
DT7 3QF

Tel: 01297 442580
Email: lymeregis@ktlaw.co.uk

Supporter story

Mr Brynley House had expressed an interest using the Free Will service in 2023; his intention was to leave his entire estate to Dorset County Hospital Charity. Jodi Hibbard, our Head of Fundraising, had spoken with Mr House on several occasions to discuss his wishes and to understand exactly how he wanted his legacy to benefit Dorset County Hospital. Mr House stated that he wanted to leave a gift to give something back for the care he and his family had received at DCH over many years – stressing that he wanted to make a significant difference to the areas of the hospital with the greatest need at the time of his death.

In April 2024, DCH Charity were informed of the sad passing of Mr House. A substantial amount will be put towards the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal, funding enhanced facilities and equipment for the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit at DCH, with the remaining amount being put towards the General Fund to benefit other areas of the hospital. This incredibly generous legacy will improve healthcare for patients, and improve facilities for staff and visitors for generations to come.

Gifts in Wills FAQ

An up-to-date Will written by a solicitor ensures that personal wishes are respected and helps avoid difficult decisions and legal complications for loved ones. The Free Will Service allows individuals to first consider family and friends, while also offering the opportunity to leave a gift to an area of Dorset County Hospital that holds personal significance, making a lasting difference to future patients and staff.

After providing for loved ones, a gift in a Will to Dorset County Hospital DCH Charity is a donation—either a sum of money or a specific item—that helps secure the future of care at the hospital. Solicitors can advise on making a new Will or adding a codicil to an existing one.

Dorset County Hospital DCH Charity follows the Code of Fundraising Practice and is registered with the Fundraising Regulator. The DCH Charity is committed to transparency, respect, and accountability in all fundraising activities. Read more about our promise to you here, and if you have any questions, please do get in touch and we’ll be happy to help you.

Supporters may choose to notify the DCH Charity of their intention to include Dorset County Hospital DCH Charity in their Will. This helps ensure that wishes are understood and fulfilled. While this is a private matter, sharing plans allows the DCH Charity to express thanks and discuss how the gift might be used in the future. All information shared will remain confidential and is not legally binding. As part of the Free Will Service, solicitors provide the DCH Charity with basic client information, including name and details of any pledge.

Dorset County Hospital DCH Charity offers a Free Will Service, enabling supporters to write or amend a simple Will at no cost. The service is provided in partnership with Kitson & Trotman, who offer professional advice and support throughout the process. There is no obligation to include a gift to the DCH Charity, but any gift left helps ensure that patients and staff continue to benefit from the best possible care and facilities for generations to come.

Those who already have a Will can easily add a gift to Dorset County Hospital DCH Charity by using a codicil. Solicitors can provide guidance on how to do this correctly.

Solicitors can advise on the appropriate wording, but gifts can take several forms:

A percentage of the estate (residuary gift)
A fixed amount of money (pecuniary gift)
A specific item of value (specific gift)

Every gift, regardless of size, makes a meaningful difference.

Yes. Gifts can be directed to a particular ward, department, or area of care such as Cancer Care, or to the Greatest Need Fund, which supports areas requiring the most urgent help. The DCH Charity team can provide advice if unsure where to direct a gift. Please speak to one of our team for advice if you aren’t sure.

If you are taking part in the Free Will Service, your solicitor will be aware of the DCH Charity, but please make sure you have the following information at hand:

Name of the DCH Charity:
Dorset County Hospital DCH Charity

Registered DCH Charity number:
1056479

DCH Charity Address:
DCH Charity Office, Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2JY.

If you have any questions, our Head of Fundraising, Jodi Hibbard would love to chat to you in confidence on 01305 254470 or email jodi.hibbard@dchft.nhs.uk.

The service is subject to a maximum agreed fee limit; please check this with the participating solicitor.

Only participating Kitson & Trotman offices are offering the service and this service is only promoted by DCH Charity.

It is a condition of the Free Will Service that the solicitor provides DCH Charity with the following basic client information: name and details of any pledge to DCH Charity.

Free Will Service