A gift that lasts: Jay and Anupa’s legacy story

When Jay and Anupa Shah updated their wills, they made one important addition: a gift to St Luke’s Hospice.

The idea came from their elderly neighbour, Philip Ralph, who chose to leave part of his estate to the hospice after receiving care at the end of his life.

Jay and Anupa, who live in Stanmore, had known Philip for many years.

Philip had no siblings or children, so as he grew older the Shahs supported him with everyday tasks. Jay acted as his power of attorney and later as his executor.

Philip spent his final weeks at St Luke’s, and his mother had been cared for by the hospice too. After he died, Jay and Anupa learned he had included a legacy for St Luke’s, and that decision stayed with them.

They already had a long connection with the hospice. A relative of Anupa had received care at St Luke’s, and she once volunteered at St Luke’s former shops warehouse on Honeypot Lane. Jay, working locally, often encouraged customers to support the hospice because he saw how widely it was used and how familiar it was to local families.

Their neighbour’s legacy made them think more carefully about what a gift in a will can do. It showed them how one planned decision can help future families long after someone has gone. As Jay put it simply, “We’ve put something in our will as well.”

Jay and Anupa see St Luke’s as a central part of life in Harrow and Brent.

They’ve seen how many families rely on the hospice, including many from their own community. Jay noticed this clearly. “We’ve seen a lot of patients here who are Indians,” he said. He felt more people could consider leaving a small share to charity. “Indians generally will just give it to their family,” he said. “Leave something in the will for other people as well.”

For Jay and Anupa, adding St Luke’s to their will felt like a straightforward way to support a service they trust. It reflects the help their neighbour received, the care given to their relatives, and the support the hospice continues to offer across the community.

Find out more about how to leave a Gift in your Will.