Help for Heroes was recently promised an entire estate from a passionate supporter. She talks here about how it felt to include such a large gift in her will.

I have always had a deep interest in all thing military. Having had the privilege to work with military personnel when I was at an impressionable young age, at the time when we were losing men during the Northern Ireland conflict, and at the same time watching the horrors of the war in Vietnam being broadcast on our television screens, I had become very aware of what military personnel endured in their profession. Memories of some of the visual horrors broadcast of those ugly times still haunt me. While the physical effects of war are plain to see, I cannot imagine fully what it did mentally to those concerned.

My relationship with Help for Heroes started with my requesting information on making donations to the charity. Based on the literature I received from them, it didn't take me long to realise where I wanted all the money from my estate to be placed.

The security of knowing

Once I made the decision to amend my will to include the charity, the main thing I felt was relief - big time! Knowing that my money will go exactly where I want it to go, and will be well managed and used specifically for helping injured/traumatised ex-military personnel in Britain has really brought me peace of mind.

I know it was the right decision; I consider that if so many men and women are prepared to join the armed forced, putting their lives or limbs at risk for others, it is for others to support them if they become disabled, physically or mentally, and can no longer obtain employment. I know that my legacy gift will contribute towards a means of helping those in need of professional care in trying to deal with the aftermath of war. They went voluntarily to the battlefield, enabling the likes of me, and millions of others to rest easy in our beds, physically untouched by bombs, grenades, RPGs, and bullets, and I totally admire their bravery.

The author of this article has chosen to remain anonymous.