A generous £10,000 donation to Age Concern Hampshire has highlighted the lasting difference that practical support can make to older people and their families across Hampshire.

The donation was made anonymously by a husband whose wife received support from our free Form Filling Service last year, when her health was deteriorating. With the help of an Age Concern Hampshire volunteer, the couple discovered they were entitled to benefits they had not previously realised they could claim. The additional financial support made a real difference to them as the wife’s health declined.

Sadly, she has since passed away. Her husband wanted to give something back to Age Concern Hampshire in recognition of the free support they received.

The donation will help us support more older people to access the practical services and support they need, including our free Form Filling Service. The husband told us that the help they received had made a real difference during a particularly difficult period, and that he wanted his donation to help us continue supporting other older people and families across Hampshire.

The donation is also eligible for Gift Aid, meaning we expect to be able to claim a further £2,500 at no additional cost to the donor.

“For a local charity like Age Concern Hampshire, a £10,000 donation is incredibly significant and will help us continue providing vital support to older people across Hampshire. What makes this gift particularly special is the story behind it. It came from someone who experienced first-hand the difference our Form Filling Service and support of our volunteers could make at a really difficult time.

“For that support to have meant enough for someone to want to give back in this way is incredibly moving, and a wonderful reminder of the lasting impact our staff and volunteers can have on people’s lives. This generous donation will help us support more older people across Hampshire and help more people to access practical support, including through our Form Filling Service, when they need it most.”

Brogan Rehill, Head of Strategy, Partnerships & Community Impact

We provide a range of practical and social support to help older people live well and remain independent, connected and confident in their communities.

Our Information & Advice service, including Form Filling, can help older people and their families understand what support they may be entitled to and navigate what can sometimes feel like a complicated system. Our free service can support people with filling in forms such as Attendance Allowance, PIP, Pension Credit and Blue Badge applications.

We rely on donations, fundraising and the generosity of our supporters to help us continue this work.

Every donation, whatever the size, can help us continue supporting older people and their families across Hampshire.