VARIOUS items have been left to North Devon Hospice in people's wills, including a new Mini Cooper car.

Gifts in wills are now the single biggest source of donations to the charity.

So they are vital in helping the hospice to continue providing care and support to hundreds of people every week.

The hospice, in conjunction with the Journal, is in the middle of its month-long "Make a Will" campaign.

This week it looks at the many types of gift that can be left in a will.

As well as the obvious option of leaving an amount of money, there is also the option of leaving a specific item which could hold value in a number of ways.

That is exactly what a South Molton man did when he left his new Mini Cooper to North Devon Hospice in his will.

He was cared for by the hospice up until his death.

He was visited at home by one of the Community Clinical Nurse Specialists, he received emotional and spiritual support from the team of counsellors and was also admitted to the bedded unit where he passed away in 2007.

Since then the car has been used for a number of purposes, such as helping the hospice's team of Community Nurse Specialists visit patients in their own homes.

Naomi Mohabeer, one of the team of nurses who provide care and support to patients across North Devon, said: "The gift of this car has been an extremely useful one, because it has often been used by the team to deliver care where it is most needed, at home.

"When someone is facing the impact of a life-threatening illness, they want to be cared for in the place where they feel most comfortable, so it is vital that we are able to visit them and look after the physical and emotional needs of the whole family.

"Any gift that helps us do that job, whether it is a sum of money or indeed a car, is most appreciated and makes a real difference to the lives of local people."

She added: "The hospice has had a number of items left in people's wills, and they all help us to care for patients, families and carers.

"For example, stocks and shares are a popular gift, because they can increase in value which means even more benefit to the hospice and those we care for.

"All our services are provided completely free of charge, but it costs more than £3m a year to care in this way, and the vast majority of that comes from the generous people of North Devon.

"So no matter what size of gift you choose to leave, you will be helping nurses like me and my team to care for people for many years to come."

North Devon Hospice has teamed up with ten local solicitors to promote its first Make a Will Month.

For every will written during this month, the participating firms will make a donation to the hospice to help it carry on its essential work across North Devon.

Ali Hunt said: "While this is a great way for our local solicitors to show their support for the hospice, it also highlights the importance of making a will.

"Nearly 70 per cent of people either don't have a will, or have one that is out of date, so they have no control over how their assets will be divided or how much tax will be paid to the government.

"The only way to ensure that the people and causes close to your heart are looked after is to have an up-to-date will.

"If you choose to make your will during October, there is the added bonus that your solicitor will make a donation to North Devon Hospice at the same time."

For more information about the types of gift you could pledge to North Devon Hospice call Ali Hunt on 01271 347206.