A WILL-writer who grew up in a hospital is helping poorly patients settle their affairs.

For the second year in a row, Reshma Field has chosen Brighter Futures as her charity of the year.

But she’s decided against handing over cash to the Great Western Hospital charity.

Instead, the former solicitor, who runs firm Swindon Will Writing, is using her skills to help some of Swindon’s sickest people – and the hospital staff that look after them.

Reshma, 45, has agreed with Brighter Futures to offer a 15 per cent discount on her will-writing service for anyone who works at GWH or is being cared for at the Marlborough Road hospital.

“It’s about giving back to the staff for all their good work,” she said. “I really admire them.”

For Reshma, supporting the hospital is something of a homecoming. 

She spent five years living at the old Princess Margaret Hospital, arriving there in 1974 when she was just two-years-old.

Both her parents were doctors and Reshma’s family lived in staff quarters at the old hospital site.

“The hospital was sort of like a home and the grounds were our playground.,” she said. “There were lots of other families living there. 

“It was a nice group of people. I really enjoyed it.”

After spending 16 years away in Kent, the Old Town lawyer returned to her home town – and soon reawakened her link with the new hospital.

She said the Great Western’s Brighter Futures charity was close to the hearts of her clients.

While the £2.9 million radiotherapy appeal steals many of the headlines, she said that she had been struck by the other services that the charity funds.

They include toys for the children’s units and specialist “cooling caps” for chemotherapy patients.

Reshma said: “There are so many big things that Brighter Futures does within the hospital.”

She wanted to give back, using her legal skills.

“Writing a will is probably one of the most important things you’ll ever do in your life,” said Reshma. 

“People put it off. It’s a stressful thing to do and a lot of people don’t like thinking about death. I get clients who have been meaning to write a will for a long time.”

She says it is most important for parents with young families to get their affairs in order, “just to be able to say if something does happen to mum and dad we know who our children are going to be looked after by”.

Reshma added: “It’s a way of ensuring that your wishes are carried out.”

While a will can be written anywhere, by anyone, Reshma recommends finding a qualified solicitor or experienced will writer to help you through the process. 

She said: “Writing a will doesn’t have to be stressful. It can be a really easy thing to do.”

For more details, visit www.swindonwillwriting.co.uk. 

To donate to Brighter Futures, call 01793 605631 or visit www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk.