Dear Friend,

 

My name is Cameron and I have personal experience with one of the less-known unforeseen consequences of our current laws.

 

My parents, both born into working class families in Lancashire in 1923, were early supporters of what is now called Dignity in Dying. My brother and I were brought up in a house where my parents were quite open about their beliefs. If their lives ever became intolerable they wanted an 'easy way out'.

 

Fast forward 85 years. My father has died with Alzheimer's. My mother, in not too bad shape physically, is in a care home. I get a phone call from a tearful mother saying "I've got to leave in a month". She had been handed a solicitor's letter giving her 30 days' notice, as the care home's management were concerned that she intended to take her own life and that they might be implicated in assisting a suicide if they let her stay.

 

A staff member had found pills she had been stockpiling in case she needed her 'easy way out'. The care home called the police, who searched my mother's room without a warrant. My brother, who lived close to her care home was then arrested at six o'clock the next morning by officers in three police cars, who searched his house, also without a warrant, on the basis that he was suspected of supplying drugs to assist a suicide. He was released the same day and later received a letter of apology from the local Chief Constable.

This is surely not what the current law was designed to achieve. Friend, will you leave a gift to Dignity in Dying in your Will and fund the campaign to change the law? Through our partnership with Farewill, writing your Will is completely free.

Write my free Will >>

 

I took legal advice and met the team at Dignity in Dying, who said that I wasn’t alone, and there were several stories like mine every year in the UK. This is why, like my parents, I do everything I can to support the campaign.

 

My parents left a generous legacy to Dignity in Dying and my wife and I have done the same. We both feel very strongly that as the campaign gets closer to winning the battle for law change. Dignity in Dying needs financial support now more than ever.

 

If you don’t already have a Will, through Dignity in Dying’s partnership with Farewill, you can write a Will worth £100 for free. They’re an award-winning Will writing service on a mission to change how the world deals with death. Their team of specialists are available seven days a week to help you make your Will from the comfort of your home.

Law change for choice at the end of life could be your legacy, Friend. Will you write your Will and leave a gift to Dignity in Dying and make history?