Star Wars actor’s legacy to Demelza highlights importance of gifts in wills

Kenneth Colley played Imperial Officer Admiral Piett in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

The former Hythe resident died last year aged 87 and from the estate he left, he donated £5,000 to Demelza which the charity has recently received.

The donation coincidentally ties in with Hospice UK’s National Legacy Campaign which launched today (Monday) and aims to raise awareness of how vital gifts in wills are to charities.

Leaving a gift in a will is one of the most valuable and lasting ways you can support Demelza, which is fortunate to benefit from around £2million worth of legacies every year.

Whether you leave a percentage of an estate, a set amount, or an asset such as property – your generosity will help Demelza provide care and support for children with serious or life-limiting conditions, and their families, for years to come.

The flexibility of what you can leave means that any gift of any size will positively impact the care we can provide.

Mr Colley isn’t the first well known supporter to have donated to Demelza in this way. The late Strictly Come Dancing Judge Len Goodman was a Celebrity Ambassador for the charity and a long-term supporter.

After his death in 2023, he left a £1,000 legacy to Demelza.

Demelza’s Head of Lottery and Individual Giving, James Cook, said: “We are very grateful to Kenneth for the support he has given Demelza over the years and to all those supporters who consider us in their will.

“We rely on the incredible support of our communities to continuing providing our vital services and legacies are just one of the ways people can do that.

“It’s so important for us to raise awareness of the impact that gifts in wills have to Demelza.”