27 August 2025
Harbour Hospice volunteer Kelly Townsend is a “passionate planner”. “Set things up properly from the start, and the rest will flow,” she says.
So, naturally, Kelly is all over it when it comes to planning for the end of life. As a funeral celebrant and facilitator for Death Without Debt, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to ensure Kiwis can have an affordable and dignified farewell, Kelly knows what she wants for her send-off, and has written her Will.
She wrote her Will in 2019 then amended it recently, in both cases taking advantage of opportunities to create a free will using lawyers in partnership with Harbour Hospice.
September is Wills Month, and that same opportunity is being offered by lawyers Denham Bramwell Lawyers, Simpson Western North Lawyers and Paxton-Penman et al, who will create or amend a simple Will for you, free of charge, when you include a Gift in your Will to Harbour Hospice.
Kelly says she is very happy to leave a gift in her Will to Harbour Hospice because she volunteers for the charity at its gift-wrapping station at Silverdale Mall every Christmas and used to be a volunteer life story writer; she understands the impact it has in its community. She has also had a good friend cared for by Harbour Hospice “who couldn't speak highly enough about their care”.
She adds, “We need services like Hospice that provide specialist palliative care, and support people to die at home.”
When you leave a gift in your Will to Harbour Hospice you’re ensuring that hospice care can continue for generations to come. A gift in Will can be any amount you like, it all makes a difference to hospice patients and their families. To arrange your free Will or learn more, contact Harbour Hospice Planned Giving Manager Suzie Smith on 021 226 2741 or suzie.smith@harbourhospice.org.nz or visit harbourhospice.org.nz/gift-in-your-will/
