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Claire's story

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Age is no barrier to including a gift in your Will.

Just ask 32-year-old Claire, who has made the generous decision to leave a percentage of her estate to Mater.

“My desire was to make sure that when the time comes for those funds to be released from my estate, they will be used for something that is an area of need,” she said.

“I felt confident that if I were to give the gift to Mater, they’ve got runs on the board for getting the money out there into the research community and the patient support community.”

Claire said the idea had been “floating around in the back of her mind” for some years—so when updating her Will before she got married in April 2017, she took the opportunity to include a gift to Mater.

Rather than leaving a fixed amount, she has allocated a percentage of her estate.

“It seemed to me that a percentage was the way to go because it means that you’re not depriving funds from your family if they need them,” Claire said.

The important first step in all this? Make a Will.

Claire, a Brisbane barrister, believes that many young people may want to leave a gift, but don’t have a Will. She said no matter what age or stage of life, people have a responsibility to those they love to make one.

“I think it’s really important for young people to have a Will, full stop,” she said.

“There’s a lot of people in my generation who don’t have a Will and have families and mortgages. Part of my experience has been my father passing away about three-and-a-half years ago from melanoma and the trauma of losing someone you love is unbearable.

“I couldn’t have imagined what it would have been like if he didn’t have his affairs in order.”

It was her father’s death that initially connected Claire to Mater. As his illness progressed, she wanted to do something to show her support—“and that we were in this battle together”.

She had spotted Smiling for Smiddy competitors at Noosa triathlons. A cyclist herself, she decided to join the 2013 Brisbane to Townsville Smiddy Challenge—flying home two days before the ride ended when her dad’s health took a turn for the worse. He passed away the day after the Smiddy riders reached Townsville.

“But I fell in love with everything Smiddy has to offer and what it means.”

Since that time, Mater’s breadth and depth of activity has interested her. Claire has had friends treated, and nieces and nephews born at Mater—and has been left impressed by the work of Mater’s researchers.

“It’s a desperate area of need, medical research in this country. The government funding just isn’t enough.”

Claire also joined Mater Foundation’s community fundraising committee two years ago.

“Because I’m so passionate about the work Mater does, the opportunity to contribute in that way is very humbling and it’s a good experience.”

She said leaving a gift in a Will was simple. It could be incorporated when creating a Will or added to an existing one.

“A lot of people are interested in it, but they just don’t know how to go about it. It’s actually really easy.”

Claire said a Will can be created in a way that ensures family and loved ones are cared for, while there is also a gift that can be used to make a tangible difference to the community.

“And the thing about Mater is you know that if you’re in Queensland a gift to Mater literally makes a difference to people in your neighbourhood.”     

By including Mater in your Will, you can help create a brighter future for your community.

We’re happy to discuss with you the many ways you can add Mater Foundation to your Will, to ensure that your bequest will achieve what you want it to. 

For a confidential discussion, please call our Donor Liaison Manager on 07 3163 8000 or complete the online enquiry form.

Interested in leaving a gift in your Will?