Thank You, Jim
I met Jim in June 2012 when he visited the Children’s Hospital Trust for a tour of the Hospital, specifically Room S16, the Stomatherapy Clinic. Before his visit, we had a brief telephonic conversation, and I invited him to come and share his story over a cup of tea.
A very close friend of his, with whom he had a love interest, Mara Ferreira, was a staff nurse in the Stomatherapy Clinic at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. Mara had tragically died; 16 years ago, she was murdered in her home. Jim told me how he attended Mara’s memorial service at the Hospital – and has never returned to the facility since then. After the Hospital tour – we sat in the Garden of Remembrance – and through tears, he shared some letters he had written to her.
That day our lives changed. For Jim, it was a trip that rekindled loving memories of a beautiful person and helped soothe the memory of his loss. But for me, my donor relations role changed forever.
I felt incredibly honoured to be part of his story. With every step we took through the Hospital, I watched Jim heal a little more. While on our journey, we were both pleasantly surprised to see a beautiful plaque in memory of Mara Ferreira at the entrance of the Stomatherapy Clinic.
Since then, Jim not only became a friend but joined the family of committed and loyal Children’s Hospital Trust donors. Together we shared many stories of his beloved country, Ireland. He recalled living through World War 2 as a child and losing loved ones.
He loved children and always wanted to make the world a better place for them, even though he never had children of his own.
On 11th May 2020, I received news from his niece in Ireland. She told me James (Jim) Cowan passed away on 7th May 2020.
Shocked and still saddened by the news, I was told he fell ill while visiting Ireland – the solace of knowing that he died in his beloved country brought some comfort.
Not even a week had passed, and I received more news that Jim had left a substantial Bequest in his Will to the Children’s Hospital Trust. I secretly smiled because Jim knew that by investing in a child’s life, he is giving a child a second chance at life, the opportunity to live their dreams, have their own family, and actively contribute to society.
Jim’s bequest donation helped us complete the newly upgraded Emergency Centre. We will remember him for changing the lives of the sick and injured children that will come through the doors of the Emergency Centre for many years to come. Thank You, Jim.
My sincere thanks to our valued and loyal donors for your kindness and compassion. Especially those who made the decision, like Jim, to leave a Bequest in their Will to the Children’s Hospital Trust – it is an investment in future generations.
Pauline Solomons,
Donor Relations Manager:
Legacy and Community Fundraising
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In terms of leaving a bequest to the Trust, we would suggest wording along the lines of ‘I hereby leave/bequeath R______ (or a specific item/asset/share etc.) to The Children’s Hospital Trust, PBO No. 930 004 493, to be used at their discretion (unless you would like it to be allocated to a specific area).’
Please note that we recommend consulting an attorney when amending your will – the above is merely a suggestion and not legal advice. As long as you state the Children’s Hospital Trust as the beneficiary and our PBO number, there shouldn’t be any issue.
Thank you very much for informing us about your intention to leave a bequest to The Children’s Hospital Trust in your estate plan. We are very grateful to you for your generosity. The Trust’s future depends upon the continued generosity of friends such as you.
The value of any bequest you make to the Children’s Hospital Trust as a registered Public Benefit Organisation will be deductible for calculating the Estate Duty payable on your estate. This means that a bequest to a charity may decrease the amount of Estate Duty payable on your death – or even help to entirely exclude your estate from being liable for the payment of this tax. Please remember to include our PBO number, 930 004 493.
Decide on a particular solicitor or bank to draw up your Will. To be legally binding, your Will must be signed in the presence of two witnesses, who must then sign it themselves. They or their spouses must not be beneficiaries.
1. What have I got to leave?
Write a list of all your assets and liabilities to estimate the value of your estate. This will also help you assess if you need further advice on estate tax planning if your total estate is above the current threshold.
2. Who do I want to help?
Write a list of all the people, including full names and addresses, who you would like to benefit from your Will.
3. Who has made a difference in my life?
Please don’t forget to consider leaving a donation to a favourite charity or cause. Gifts in Wills prove invaluable to many charities. You could be making a valuable difference for the causes you care about most. Has a charity helped you or someone you love? Which causes are important to you? Which appeals have moved you? If you know them, make a note of their official charity name, address and registered charity number to give to your adviser.
4. Executors and Guardians
Choose an executor for your Will. You will need at least one person. They will be responsible for making sure your Will is carried out in accordance with your wishes. You can choose a solicitor, bank manager or accountant; however, they may charge you a fee. You can also ask a family member or close friend. Write down their full names and addresses.
5. Keep your Will safe
One good way of doing this is to entrust it to your attorney or bank manager. Some people send a copy to the beneficiary charity for their records in case the original is lost or disputed.
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The power of legacy enables us to understand the past, live fully in the present, and prepare for the future. The World War 2 veterans and every person involved in the planning, fundraising, building, and opening of the Red Cross War Memorial Hospital in 1956 created a legacy by honouring all those who had lost their lives in the war and lived their purpose by creating a better future for all children through the care provided by dedicated staff in the hospital.
I have met many individuals who remember the care they received when they were patients in the 1960s, 1970s, or 1980s. They not only remember the staff who treated them but also how they made them feel while they were there. One man, diagnosed with a heart condition as a child, remembered spending many hours in the hospital with his mother. He absolutely loved the hospital visits, as he was one of five children and these moments with his mom were very special to him. He still remembers his doctor to this day.
The Hospital continues to embody the values of child-and-family-centred care, ensuring that every child and family brought through its doors receives the best medical and emotional care possible. The Children’s Hospital is a living legacy of hope and healing for children and their families in their darkest times.
The Children’s Hospital Trust has a dream of ensuring that all children have access to high-quality healthcare; it should not matter where they live. It is also important to know that we operate within stringent governance structures with checks and balances in place. This ensures that 100% of your donation is allocated to projects that will make a difference in the lives of children, now and into the future.
I often walk through the corridors of the Hospital and meet children, families, and staff who inspire me in so many ways. Everyone has a story, and everyone has a reason for being there. I am grateful that with the support of generous donors, we can make a small difference in the lives of children, their families, and the staff who provide care for all of our children in need.
As we move into the future, we want to work in partnership with the family of the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and the district hospitals that work closely with the team at Red Cross. This will ensure that many more children receive the care they need, and their wellbeing is prioritised as they travel between the different hospitals. By strengthening these links, we ensure that all children have access to high-quality healthcare closer to their homes.
Few words can describe how grateful we are to every single person who has travelled this journey with us. Thank you for helping us make a difference, and we encourage you to continue the journey with us to make our dream come true.
Chantel Cooper,
CEO, the Children’s Hospital Trust
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